HB0200

Failed

Parent rights-amendments.

Require parental notice and permission for certain school instructions; prohibit mandatory pronoun use; allow staff to opt out of diversity trainings.

Full legal title

AN ACT relating to education; clarifying procedures and requirements for school districts to provide parents notice of information regarding students; prohibiting school districts from requiring school district personnel and students to use a student's preferred pronoun if the pronoun does not align with the student's biological sex; requiring parental or guardian permission before instruction relating to diversity, equity or inclusion; authorizing school district personnel to opt out of mandatory trainings as specified; providing definitions; requiring reporting; and providing for an effective date.

Education

Sponsor:

Co-sponsors: Representative(s) Brady, Guggenmos, Haroldson, Heiner, Johnson, Lucas, Schmid, Strock, Senator(s) Boner, Pearson

View on wyoleg.gov Introduced Text (PDF)Digest (PDF)Engrossed (PDF)Fiscal Note (PDF)

What does this bill do?

Amends Wyoming education law to clarify parental notification procedures, require publication of school materials, prohibit mandatory pronoun use based on biological sex, require parental permission for diversity and inclusion instruction, and establish civil penalties for violations.

Requires school districts to notify parents as soon as practicable of any change in a student's educational, physical, mental or emotional health or well-being during school hours or school-sponsored activities, and prohibits policies that discourage such notification. (W.S. 21-3-135(a)(i), W.S. 21-3-135(a)(iii))
Requires written or electronic parental permission at least one day before students participate in instruction addressing sexual orientation, gender identity, or diversity, equity and inclusion. (W.S. 21-3-135(a)(v))
Requires school districts to notify parents at least five days before students attend assemblies, extracurricular activities, or guest speaker presentations and provide an option to opt out. (W.S. 21-3-135(a)(vi))
Prohibits school districts from requiring school personnel and students to use a student's preferred pronoun if it does not align with the student's biological sex. (W.S. 21-3-135(a)(vii))
Requires school districts to adopt policies allowing personnel to opt out of mandatory classes, trainings, or programs involving diversity, equity or inclusion. (W.S. 21-3-135(a)(viii))
Requires school districts to notify parents at the beginning of each school year of routine health care services offered and provide the option to decline specific services, effective school year 2024-2025. (W.S. 21-3-135(b))
Requires school districts to publish on their website and make available to parents curriculum for each class and grade level, all materials distributed to students, and written policies and procedures, with updates published within 30 days, effective school year 2025-2026. (W.S. 21-3-135(g))
Requires school districts to file annual reports with the Department of Education on complaints, hearings, appeals, and civil cases filed under these provisions, which the department must publish on its website.