PDE Action Commends the U.S. House of Representatives for Passing the PROTECT Kids Act

May 20, 2026

Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2616, which contains the PROTECT Kids Act. The final bipartisan vote was 217-198.

This common-sense legislation supports a basic principle: taxpayer-funded elementary and middle schools should never be able to change a student’s gender at school without parental consent.

“Parents ought to have the right to know what experiences their young children are having at school,” said Nicole Neily, Executive Director of PDE Action.

“However, millions of American parents are currently being denied this fundamental right by school district policies that explicitly permit teachers and staff to “socially transition” students behind the backs of their own parents.”

Since 2023, Defending Education has been tracking “parental exclusion policies” around the country, and to date have identified over 20,000 public schools (and counting) that currently maintain transgender/gender nonconforming policies that assert that school district personnel can or should keep a student’s transgender status hidden from parents. Combined, these policies apply to more than 12 million students nationwide.

The PROTECT Kids Act would put a stop to this harmful practice by requiring, as a condition of receiving federal funding, that elementary schools or middle schools (up to 8th grade) obtain parental approval before changing a student’s gender markers, pronouns, or preferred name on any school form. It would also prohibit changing a student’s sex-based accommodations, including locker rooms or bathrooms, without parental consent.

“Three-quarters of Americans support legislation to protect parental rights by putting an end to these “secret transition” policies.” Neily added.

“We are thankful to the 217 Representatives who voted to pass the PROTECT Kids Act, and we urge the Senate to take up this important legislation.”

PDE Action is a nonpartisan policy and advocacy organization that helps reclaim our public schools through policy engagement and advocacy at the local, district, and state level.

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