Empowering Parents Act

The Empowering Parents Act (HR 5327) requires public K-12 schools to obtain parental consent before implementing certain policies or teaching specific content. It prohibits schools from requiring masks, vaccines, or medical screenings for in-person attendance without parental approval, banning instruction on concepts like systemic racism or gender theory, and mandating biological-sex-based facilities (e.g., restrooms, locker rooms). The bill also restricts schools from compelling students to use specific pronouns without parental consent or exposing students to "radical gender theory" or "sexually explicit content." Parents can sue schools for violations within 30 days, seeking injunctions or damages, while schools must protect student privacy under FERPA.