MS HB1489

Establishes parental rights to direct a child's upbringing, education, healthcare, and mental health as a fundamental right that cannot be substantially burdened by the state without proving a compelling governmental interest of the highest order.

Requires school boards to develop policies promoting parental involvement, including providing parents with course syllabi at least 7 days before instruction begins, curriculum access at least 3 days before teaching, and procedures for parents to opt children out of instruction on gender identity, sexual orientation, or romantic/sexual relationships with 3 days' notice.

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

Requires parental written consent before medical/mental health services, surgical procedures, medications, or mental health evaluations are provided to a child, with exceptions only for medical emergencies when death or imminent irreparable injury could result or when a parent cannot be located after reasonable effort.

Allows parents to sue for violations and recover declaratory relief, injunctive relief, compensatory damages, attorneys' fees, and costs; waives sovereign and qualified immunities for violations; amends education law to expand parental access to school records and allow opt-out of comprehensive sex education with written request.