Senate Bill 49 Summary

• Creates Chapter 114A establishing parental rights to direct education, upbringing, health care, and medical records of minor children, with exceptions when investigations involve crimes against the child or abuse/neglect complaints.

• Prohibits creation, sharing, or storage of biometric scans, DNA, or video/voice recordings of children without parental written consent, except for court proceedings, investigations, safety demonstrations, academic activities, classroom instruction, ID cards, or security surveillance.

• Requires public schools to provide annual parent's guide for student achievement, establish procedures for parental involvement in education decisions, and notify parents of health care services offered and any changes to student mental or physical health services.

• Mandates schools adopt procedures for parents to request educational and health records within 10 business days (extendable to 20), with appeals to superintendents and governing bodies; establishes parental concern hearings before the State Board of Education with attorney fee awards for parents who prevail in court.

• Requires parental written consent for health care treatment of minors from licensed practitioners and facilities, with penalties up to $5,000 for violations; effective December 1, 2023 for health care provisions and August 15, 2023 for other provisions.