Massachusetts Bill Regarding Parental Consent in School (H 2883)

H 2883 would require parental consent for for out-of-school-district referrals, information, and materials, as well as student surveys regarding personal or private issues.

Parental Consent for Out-of-School-District Referrals

The bill would prohibit a public elementary or secondary school from referring to, or providing informational materials of, an individual, organization, or entity not employed by or under the direct control of the school district to which that student belongs, if such individual, organization, entity, or material involves information or counseling about health, psychological problems, reproduction, abortion, sexual education, sexual orientation, gender identity, bullying, or similar issues without first obtaining written parental consent.

Parental Consent for Student Surveys

The bill would require a public elementary or secondary school to obtain written parental consent prior to requesting or requiring a student to submit to a survey, analysis, or evaluation concerning personal issues including, but not limited to:

• emotional and psychological concerns or issues, whether concerning the student or his family (including mental health screenings);
• sexual behavior and attitudes;
• illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behaviors;
• feelings of victimization;
• suicide attempts or ideation, or self-abuse;
• birth control or abortion;
• critical appraisals of other individuals with whom respondent has family relationships;
• legally recognized privileged or analogous relationships, such as those with lawyers, physicians, therapists, and ministers;
• political affiliations; or
• income.

This would apply to all such surveys, whether from a state or federal agency.

If passed, school personnel may be forced to inadvertently out LGBTQ students to their parents.

 

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