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SB 948

SS/SB 948 - This act provides that a parent has a fundamental right to direct the upbringing, education, health care, and mental health of such parent's child free from government interference. A governmental authority shall not restrict parental rights unless such authority demonstrates that the restriction is essential to further a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling interest. This provision applies to all state and local laws, resolutions, and ordinances and to the implementation of such laws, resolutions, and ordinances. (Section 1.390) The act outlines certain parental rights that are exclusively reserved to a parent without obstruction by or interference from this state, any political subdivision of the state, any governmental entity, or any other institution. Under the act, parents shall have the right to: (1) Direct the education of the child; (2) Access and review all written and electronic educational records of the child; (3) Direct the child's upbringing; (4) Direct the child's moral or religious training; (5) Consent in writing to all physical and mental health care decisions for the child; (6) Access and review all health and medical records of the child; (7) Consent in writing before a biometric scan of the child is made, shared, or stored; (8) Consent in writing before any record of the child's blood or DNA is created, stored, or shared, unless authorized pursuant to a court order; (9) Consent in writing before any governmental authority makes a video or voice recording of the child, unless, without abrogating rights secured under the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution, such recording is made as part of an event or circumstance described in the act; (10) Be notified promptly if a governmental authority suspects that abuse, neglect, or a criminal offense has been committed against the child, unless such notification is reasonably believed to be likely to endanger the life or physical safety of the child; (11) Opt the child out of any personal analysis, evaluation, survey, or data collection by a school district except what is necessary and essential for establishing a student's educational record for a student of the school district; (12) Excuse a child from school attendance for religious purposes; (13) Participate in parent-teacher organizations and other school organizations that are sanctioned by the board of education of a school district; (14) Receive, upon first contact with a representative of the Department of Social Services, an accurate written itemization containing all details of allegations of child abuse or neglect of the child, excluding only the name of the person who made the allegations; and (15) View a publicly available, easily accessible accounting of all financial transactions conducted with school district funds without being required to submit a formal request or otherwise make direct contact with the school district to access such information. Except for law enforcement personnel, a governmental authority shall not encourage or coerce a child to withhold information from the child's parent; nor shall a governmental authority withhold from a child's parent information that is relevant to the physical, emotional, or mental health of the child. A parent who believes his or her rights have been violated under this act may assert that violation as a claim or defense in a judicial or administrative proceeding, regardless of whether the government is a party to the proceeding, and obtain appropriate relief against the government, including declaratory relief, injunctive relief, compensatory damages, and reasonable attorney's fees and costs. (Section 1.391) Additionally, each school district shall maintain an easily accessible online record of all money the district receives and spends. Each public school within a school district shall prominently link to the district's financial ledger on the school's own website. (Section 162.192) The act additionally repeals provisions authorizing minors to consent to medical treatment or procedures involving venereal disease and drug or substance abuse. (Section 431.061) This act is similar to HB 2426 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Rick Brattin

Requires every county board to enact a parental-involvement policy granting parents access to curricula and materials, opt-out/consent rights, and a formal complaint process.

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Bill Summary · SB 948

SB 948 — Children: Parental Rights — Educational Rights

Status: Hearing scheduled 3/07 at 9:00 a.m. (Introduced Jan. 27–28, 2025)
Primary subject: Parental involvement and rights in K–12 public education

Purpose / Intent

Require each county board of education to adopt and implement a written policy that promotes parental involvement in students’ education, establishes procedures for parental access to instructional materials and records, creates opt‑out and consent processes for certain instruction and activities, and provides an administrative complaint and appeal process with a limited right to judicial review.

Key provisions

  • Policy development:

    • Each county board, in consultation with parents, teachers, and school personnel, must develop and implement a parental‑involvement policy.
    • Policy must include a plan to increase parent participation and improve parent–teacher cooperation on homework, attendance, and discipline.

  • Access to curricula and materials:

    • Parents may review, examine, copy, or record curricula, instructional materials, and teacher training materials used for their child.
    • Materials must be made available via (a) publication on a publicly available website, or (b) written copy provided on request (at cost).

  • Notice, consent, and opt‑out:

    • Schools must give at least 5 days’ notice and obtain parental consent before planned instruction/presentations on family life or human sexuality.
    • Parents may object to and withdraw their child from any school club/extracurricular activity, any classroom instructional unit, presentation, or school assembly.
    • Policy requires parental consent before a student is permitted to use gender pronouns that do not match the student’s biological sex.

  • Records and information:

    • Parents have access to written and electronic records concerning their student that are controlled by the school, county board, or contracted service providers.
    • Teachers and school personnel are prohibited from withholding or concealing information from parents, including curricular/extracurricular work and information about a student’s physical, emotional, or mental health.

  • Complaint, appeal, and judicial relief:

    • Parents may file a written complaint for policy violations.
    • Superintendent must investigate and respond in writing within 14 days.
    • Parent may appeal to the county board within 30 days; the board appoints a committee that must publish findings and recommendations within 30 days; the board’s decision is final.
    • After exhausting administrative remedies, a parent may sue the county board in an appropriate court; courts may grant appropriate relief.

Who is affected

  • County boards of education and superintendents (policy creation, complaint handling)
  • Schools, principals, teachers, and contracted service providers (material access, disclosure requirements)
  • Parents and students (expanded access, opt‑out/consent rights)
  • Local governments (administrative and potential litigation responsibilities)

Timeline and fiscal impact

  • Bill text sets effective date: July 1, 2025.
  • Fiscal note: local school system expenditures will likely increase (potentially materially) to implement the policies, provide requested materials, handle increased administrative workload and complaints, and possibly hire additional staff or legal counsel. State court caseload impacts expected to be minimal and manageable with existing resources.

Practical implications / considerations

  • Schools must establish processes for making materials available online or as physical copies and document consent/opt‑out decisions.
  • Increased parental access and formal complaint channels raise administrative, record‑management, and privacy considerations (especially regarding student health records and third‑party contractors).
  • Local boards should plan for staffing, record‑keeping, and legal support to implement and defend policy decisions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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