Parental Rights Over The Education and Care of Their Kids Act or the PROTECT Kids Act This bill requires public elementary and middle schools, as a condition of receiving certain federal funds for elementary and secondary education, to obtain parental consent before changing a student's gender on school forms or changing a student's sex-based accommodations. Specifically, an elementary school or a school consisting of only grades 5-8 must obtain parental consent before changing a minor student's (1) gender markers, pronouns, or preferred name on any school form; or (2) sex-based accommodations, including locker rooms or bathrooms.

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SubjectsElementary and secondary educationSex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination

Sponsor+

Tim Walberg, R-MI-5

9 terms · @RepWalberg

Official website ↗

2266 Rayburn House Office Building Washington DC 20515-2205 · 202-225-6276

Cosponsors (4)+

Clarence Owens, R-UT-4
Co-sponsored Apr 7, 2025 · 3 terms · @RepBurgessOwens
Mary E. Miller, R-IL-15
Co-sponsored Apr 7, 2025 · 3 terms · @RepMaryMiller
Robert F. Onder Jr., R-MO-3
Co-sponsored Apr 7, 2025 · 1 term · @RepBobOnder
Kevin P. Kiley, I-CA-3
Co-sponsored Apr 7, 2025 · 2 terms · @RepKiley

Committees (2)+

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
Senate Standing · Activity May 21, 2026
Education and Workforce Committee
House Standing · Activity May 20, 2026

Actions (22)+

May 21, 2026 · via Senate
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
May 20, 2026 · via House floor actions
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
May 20, 2026 · via House floor actions
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 217 - 198 (Roll no. 184). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H3652)
May 20, 2026 · via Library of Congress
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 217 - 198 (Roll no. 184). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H3652)
May 20, 2026 · via House floor actions
On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 207 - 208 (Roll no. 183).
May 20, 2026 · via House floor actions
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3660-3661)
May 20, 2026 · via House floor actions
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 2616, the Chair put the question on motion to recommit and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Walberg demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
May 20, 2026 · via House floor actions
The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
May 20, 2026 · via House floor actions
Ms. Balint moved to recommit to the Committee on Education and Workforce. (CR H3658)
May 20, 2026 · via House floor actions
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
May 20, 2026 · via House floor actions
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 2616.
May 20, 2026 · via House floor actions
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 7567, H.R. 2616, S. Con. Res. 33, S. 1318 and H.R. 1346. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 7567 under a structured rule and H.R. 2616, S. Con. Res. 33, S. 1318, and H.R. 1346 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 7567, H.R. 2616, and H.R. 1346, and one motion to commit on S. 1318.
May 20, 2026 · via House floor actions
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1224. (consideration: CR H3652-3659)
Apr 29, 2026 · via House floor actions
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1224 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 7567, H.R. 2616, S. Con. Res. 33, S. 1318 and H.R. 1346. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 7567 under a structured rule and H.R. 2616, S. Con. Res. 33, S. 1318, and H.R. 1346 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 7567, H.R. 2616, and H.R. 1346, and one motion to commit on S. 1318.
Jan 13, 2026 · via House floor actions
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 377.
Jan 13, 2026 · via House floor actions
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-441.
Jan 13, 2026 · via Library of Congress
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-441.
Apr 9, 2025 · via House committee actions
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 18 - 12.
Apr 9, 2025 · via House committee actions
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Apr 3, 2025 · via House floor actions
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Apr 3, 2025 · via Library of Congress
Introduced in House
Apr 3, 2025 · via Library of Congress
Introduced in House

Known as+

PROTECT Kids Act

IntroducedApr 3, 2025

Policy areaEducation

RelatedH.Res. 1224

SourceView on Congress.gov ↗

Bill textRead full text →

Constitutional authority cited

[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 60 (Thursday, April 3, 2025)][House]From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]By Mr. WALBERG:H.R. 2616.Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuantto the following:Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution[Page H1418]

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