HB 1480 - Parents' Bill of Rights Act of 2023

• Establishes parental rights as fundamental, prohibiting state or political subdivisions from substantially burdening a parent's right to direct child upbringing, education, health care, and mental health without demonstrating a compelling governmental interest.

• Requires school boards to develop policies promoting parental involvement including procedures for parents to review syllabi at least 7 days before class, curriculum at least 3 days before instruction, and to withdraw children from instruction objecting to content regarding sex, morality, or religion.

• Prohibits state and local employees (except law enforcement) from encouraging or coercing children to withhold information from parents, and prohibits withholding information relevant to a child's physical, emotional, or mental health.

• Requires school principals or superintendents to provide requested educational records within 5 business days or provide written denial explanation, with appeal process to school board and chancery court.

• Creates a private cause of action for violations with remedies including declaratory relief, injunctive relief, compensatory damages, reasonable attorneys' fees, and costs; waives governmental immunity for liability under the act.