On Tuesday, U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz (FL-01) introduced the ‘‘Parents’ Right to Know Act.” The legislation, if enacted, would ensure parents have access to their children’s school medical and counseling records.
In April 2023, President Joe Biden’s Department of Education issued guidance, to clarify that the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) prohibits parental access to student health information in the absence of student written consent. The Department’s guidance has become an issue for parents and guardians not being allowed access to what mental health professionals in schools are telling students.
Rep. Gaetz’s legislation would counteract the Biden administration’s guidance by amending the General Education Provisions Act to allow parents a right to access medical and counseling records of their children, except as prohibited by an active state protective order.
“The federal government should not be inhibiting parents’ ability to see records that could affect their children’s upbringing. My bill reinforces the right for parents to access medical and counseling record of their children, lifting the veil of secrecy in Biden’s Education Department.
Parents don’t just have a ‘right’ to know what’s happening in their children’s lives at school – they have a non-negotiable claim to it,” Congressman Gaetz said.
Full text of Congressman Gaetz’s bill can be found HERE. Additionally, exclusive coverage of the bill by Washington Examiner can be found HERE.
