… But Jen Kiggans Voted For The Parents Bill Of Rights Act That Contained Multiple Amendments Harmful To LGBTQ+ Students That A Republican Colleague Said Could Put “Vulnerable Children At Greater Risk”

Kiggans Voted For The Parents Bill Of Rights Act That Contained Multiple Harmful Amendments

Kiggans Voted For The Parents Bill Of Rights Act To Establish Requirements For Schools To Provide Parents With Certain Information On Their Child’s Education. In March 2023, Kiggans voted for: “Passage of the bill, as amended, that would establish various requirements for public elementary and secondary schools to provide parents with information and certain rights regarding their children’s education. It would generally require schools that receive federal funding to obtain parental consent before providing a non-emergency medical screening or examination or before changing a child’s gender markers or sex-based accommodations. It would require schools to allow parents to inspect and provide feedback on all instructional and reading materials used in evaluations or available to students through school libraries, as well as professional development materials for teachers. It would prohibit schools from acting as agents of parents to consent to the use of online technology or the administration of vaccinations, and from selling student information for commercial gain. To increase transparency at Title I schools, the bill would generally require school districts to publicly disseminate curricula for each grade, as well as notices of any changes to the state’s academic standards; include detailed budget information for each school in their annual report cards; and allow parents to meet with teachers at least twice a year, address the school board and review professional development materials. It would require local educational agencies to ensure that Title I schools provide and inform parents of their rights to receive information regarding their child’s education, including if a school changes their child’s gender markers or sex-based accommodations, the number of school counselors in their child's school, if their child receives mental health treatment or brings a weapon to school, all enrollment and transfer options, planned outside speakers at school events, violent activity on school grounds, elimination of gifted and talented programs, and notification if a student is not grade-level proficient in reading at the end of third grade. Among other provisions, the bill would specify that it does not authorize federal involvement in curriculum or school personnel decisions and does not authorize parents to prohibit students who are not their children from accessing books or reading materials available in a school's library. It would express the sense of Congress that public school students should have access to broadband and opportunities to learn the history of the Holocaust and anti-Semitism, and that parents have a constitutional right to ‘direct the education of their children.’” The bill passed by a vote of 213-208. [H.R. 5, Vote #161, 3/24/23; CQ, 3/24/23]

• A Boebert Amendment In H.R. 5 Said, “Parent's Right To Know If Their Child's School Allows A Person Whose Biological Sex Is Male To Use Restrooms Or Changing Rooms Designated For Women Or Girls.” Lauren Boebert sponsored House amendment 113: “Description: An amendment numbered 4 printed in House Report 118-12 to amend Section 104 to include Parent's Right to Know if their child's school allows a

person whose biological sex is male to use restrooms or changing rooms desginated for women or girls. Sponsor: Boebert, Lauren [Rep.-R-CO-3]” [H Amdt 114 to HR 5, Agreed to by voice vote, 3/23/23]

• A Boebert Amendment To Be Added To H.R. 5 That Included “Parent's Right To Know If Their Child's School Operates, Sponsors, Or Facilitates Athletic Programs Or Activities To Permit A Person Whose Biological Sex Is Male To Participate In An Athletic Program Or Activity That Is Designated For Women And Girls.” Lauren Boebert sponsored House amendment 112: “Description: An amendment numbered 3 printed in House Report 118-12 to amend Section 104 to include Parent's Right to Know if their child's school operates, sponsors, or facilitates athletic programs or activities to permit a person whose biological sex is male to participate in an athletic program or activity that is designated for women and girls. Sponsor: Boebert, Lauren [Rep.-R-CO-3]” [H Amdt 114 to HR 5, Agreed to by voice vote, 3/23/23]

Republican Mike Lawler Voted Against The Parents Bill Of Rights Due To The Boebert Amendment, Saying The Amendment Could Put “Vulnerable Children At Greater Risk”

Republican Mike Lawler Voted Against The Parents Bill Of Rights Due To The Boebert Amendment, Saying The Amendment Could Put “Vulnerable Children At Greater Risk.” “Lawler — a freshman who represents a district President Biden won by 10 points in 2020 — told The Hill in a statement that he voted against the bill despite being a co-sponsor because an amendment added to the legislation ‘went too far.’ A spokesperson for the congressman said he was referring to the amendment introduced by Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) that said parents have a right to know if their child’s school allows a transgender girl or woman to use a bathroom or changing room that does not correspond with the sex assigned at birth. The addition passed the House by voice vote. ‘Unfortunately, a late amendment to the bill — that unnecessarily targeted certain children — went too far,’ Lawler said. ‘Our goal as parents, educators, and legislators should be making lives better and safer for our children, and I am concerned that this amendment could do the opposite, putting vulnerable children at greater risk.’” [The Hill, 3/24/23]