Bill Overview
Title: Empower Parents to Protect Their Kids Act of 2022
Description: This bill prohibits an elementary or secondary school from receiving federal funds unless the school complies with specified requirements related to parental consent and student gender identity. Among other requirements, school employees may not withhold information from parents about a minor student's gender transition or gender identity. The Department of Justice or a parent or guardian may bring a civil action against a school for violations.
Sponsors: Rep. Banks, Jim [R-IN-3]
Target Audience
Population: Parents and students in elementary and secondary schools globally
Estimated Size: 50000000
- The bill targets schools that receive federal funds, affecting the policies of a significant number of elementary and secondary schools across the country.
- Students who are in elementary and secondary schools will be directly affected, particularly those who are considering or undergoing a gender transition.
- Parents of these students will be impacted as they will be provided more information and control regarding their child's gender identity and transition.
- Schools and their employees need to comply with the new requirements or face legal actions. This will necessitate changes in school policy and staff training.
- LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and those concerned with privacy or parental rights in education will be influenced by the policy changes.
Reasoning
- Approximately 50 million students and their parents could be impacted, focusing on those at public schools.
- A portion of these students, particularly those transgender or non-binary, will feel direct effects, while others might be affected indirectly through school policy changes.
- Teachers and school staff may face job-related stress changes due to compliance requirements.
- The fiscal constraints suggest the policy's practical impact in the initial year might be limited to setting up protocols for information sharing and legal frameworks.
- LGBTQ+ advocacy groups are likely to be small in number but vocal in regard to privacy and rights concerns.
Simulated Interviews
Teacher (Austin, TX)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm concerned about how this will impact the trust between students and teachers.
- I want to support my students, but this puts us in a difficult position.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 9 |
Parent (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Finally, I feel like I'm going to be fully informed about what's happening with my child.
- I think this policy will foster better communication within families.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
High School Student (New York, NY)
Age: 16 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy makes me feel less safe to explore my identity.
- I'm worried about how my parents will react if they find out before I'm ready.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
School Administrator (Chicago, IL)
Age: 44 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our school needs to ensure compliance but also protect student privacy.
- This policy increases administrative burden significantly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
LGBTQ+ Advocacy Group Member (Seattle, WA)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I fear the negative effects this bill could have on vulnerable youth.
- It's going to require a lot of advocacy to counter potential harms.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 9 |
High School Student (Denver, CO)
Age: 15 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This might help some families, but it should be the student's choice to share.
- I'm worried about my friends who may feel pressured.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Elementary School Principal (Miami, FL)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We need to protect student welfare, but parents' rights are also important.
- The policy's demands require careful balancing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Parent (Dallas, TX)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As parents, being informed is crucial for supporting our kids.
- I wish there was a more balanced approach that also protects student privacy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
College Student (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 26 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a step back for student rights.
- We need policies that ensure both transparency and privacy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Elementary School Student (Boston, MA)
Age: 11 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't really understand the policy, but my parents were talking about it.
- I just want my friends to be happy at school.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $70000000)
Year 2: $50000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $70000000)
Year 3: $50000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $70000000)
Year 5: $50000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $70000000)
Year 10: $50000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $70000000)
Year 100: $50000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $70000000)
Key Considerations
- Potential legal costs incurred by schools and the DOJ due to the provision allowing civil actions.
- Impact on parental rights in education and student privacy concerns.
- Need for schools to update policies and train staff to comply with the legislation.
- Potential impacts on school climate and student well-being associated with enforcement of such policies.