Skip to content
Govbase
Govbase
Congress·Passed House·H.R. 2616

PROTECT Kids Act

Congress Proposes Requiring Parental Consent for Student Gender and Bathroom Changes in Schools

Legislative Progress

House

217198

Senate
President
Law

Key Points

  • This bill, introduced by Mr. Walberg, would require public elementary and middle schools to get a parent's permission before changing a student's gender markers, pronouns, or preferred name on any school forms.
  • Schools would also be required to get parental consent before allowing a student to change which sex-based facilities they use, such as bathrooms or locker rooms.
  • These rules would apply to any public school that receives federal funding. If a school fails to get parental consent for these changes, they could risk losing their federal education money.
  • The policy is designed to ensure that parents are the primary decision-makers regarding their child's gender identity and privacy while they are at school.
  • This specific proposal focuses on younger children in elementary and middle school grades, rather than older students in high school.
EducationCivil Rights

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Transgender and gender-nonconforming students in elementary and middle school would be most directly affected. If a parent does not consent, a school would be unable to use a student's preferred name, pronouns, or allow access to facilities matching their gender identity. Critics argue this could put some students in difficult or unsafe situations — particularly those with unsupportive families — by effectively requiring them to be outed to their parents before the school can accommodate them. The bill frames this as a parental rights issue, but for LGBTQ advocacy groups, it represents a significant restriction on how schools can support young people exploring their gender identity.

3
2
2
4
-3
ImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Milestones

3 milestones19 actions
May 20, 2026House

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

May 20, 2026House

On passage Passed by recorded vote: 217 - 198 (Roll no. 184).

May 20, 2026

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 217 - 198 (Roll no. 184).

The House of Representatives voted to approve this bill. It now goes to the Senate.

May 20, 2026House

On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 207 - 208 (Roll no. 183).

May 20, 2026House

Considered as unfinished business.

Vote Results

2 votes
HouseFailedProceduralMay 20, 2026

On Motion to Recommit

207
208
Democrat
2070 · 5
Republican
0207 · 10
Independent
01
View full roll call
HousePassedPassageMay 20, 2026

On Passage

217
198
Democrat
8198 · 6
Republican
2080 · 9
Independent
10
View full roll call

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

PROTECT Kids Act

Bill NumberHR 2616
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(4)
R: 4

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.