HB 1431 (2022)

Establishes a parental bill of rights. Some of the parental rights in this bill include:

• "The right to direct the education and care of his or her minor child"
• "The right to direct the upbringing and the moral or religious training of his or her minor child"
• "The right to apply to enroll his or her minor child in a public school or, as an alternative to public education, a private school, including a religious school, a home education program, or other available options, as authorized by law"
• "The right to access and review all school records relating to his or her minor child"
• "The right to be notified promptly if an employee of the state, any of its political subdivisions, any other governmental entity, or any other institution suspects that a criminal offense has been committed against his or her minor child, unless the incident has first been reported to law enforcement or the bureau of child protective services and notifying the parent would impede the investigation"

The bill also requires school districts to develop a policy to promote parental involvement in the public school system.

The Senate amended the bill. Among other changes, the Senate version of the bill specifically requires parents to be notified if "any school board, school district, school administrative unit, school administrator, or other school employee initiates, investigates, or finds the need for any action by school authorities relating to the student pursuant to school policies governing student conduct, truancy, dress code violations, sexual harassment, bullying, hazing, behavior management and intervention, substance use, suicide prevention, gender expression or identity, disability accommodation, and special meal prescription."

Parents would have the right to sue in superior court under this bill.