WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 2616 · 119th Congress

Stopping Indoctrination and Protecting Kids Act

Passed HouseEducation
IntroducedApr 3, 2025
Passed HouseMay 20, 2026
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, May 21, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. The House passed it 217–198. It would change 1 section of existing law and would add 1 new provisions of its own.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 2616 would change 1 section of existing law, and would create 1 new provision of its own. Read from the bill text as sent to the Senate (May 21, 2026).

20 U.S.C. 7906

New provisions of the bill's own

  • Sec. 2 Parental consent requirement related to gender markers, pronouns, and preferred names on school forms and sex-based accommodations
What the words would change: every change, in place (3)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. 20 U.S.C. 7906(6)a new sectionchangedby H.R. 2616 Sec. 3(1)

    (6) to operate a program of contraceptive distribution in schools; or

    The bill says: in paragraph (6), by striking "or";

    Bill text

  2. 20 U.S.C. 7906a new sectionrenumberedby H.R. 2616 Sec. 3(2)

    The bill says: by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8); and

    Bill text

  3. 20 U.S.C. 7906a new sectionadded (7)by H.R. 2616 Sec. 3(3)

    (7) to teach or advance concepts related to gender ideology, as defined in section 2 of Executive Order 14168 (90 Fed. Reg. 8615; relating to defending women from gender ideology extremism and restoring biological truth to the Federal Government); or

    The bill says: by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:

    Bill text

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, latest edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

Sourced

Parental Rights Over The Education and Care of Their Kids Act or the PROTECT Kids Act

This bill requires public elementary and middle schools, as a condition of receiving certain federal funds for elementary and secondary education, to obtain parental consent before changing a student's gender on school forms or changing a student's sex-based accommodations.

Specifically, an elementary school or a school consisting of only grades 5-8 must obtain parental consent before changing a minor student's (1) gender markers, pronouns, or preferred name on any school form; or (2) sex-based accommodations, including locker rooms or bathrooms.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, Apr 3, 2025).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

Sourced
  1. May 21, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.Senate
  2. May 20, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  3. May 20, 2026On passage Passed by recorded vote: 217 - 198 (Roll no. 184). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H3652) Roll call recordHouse floor actions
  4. May 20, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 217 - 198 (Roll no. 184). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H3652) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
  5. May 20, 2026On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 207 - 208 (Roll no. 183). Roll call recordHouse floor actions
  6. May 20, 2026Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3660-3661)House floor actions
  7. May 20, 2026POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 2616, the Chair put the question on motion to recommit and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Walberg demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.House floor actions
  8. May 20, 2026The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.House floor actions
  9. May 20, 2026Ms. Balint moved to recommit to the Committee on Education and Workforce. (CR H3658)House floor actions
  10. May 20, 2026The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.House floor actions
  11. May 20, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 2616.House floor actions
  12. May 20, 2026Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 7567, H.R. 2616, S. Con. Res. 33, S. 1318 and H.R. 1346. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 7567 under a structured rule and H.R. 2616, S. Con. Res. 33, S. 1318, and H.R. 1346 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 7567, H.R. 2616, and H.R. 1346, and one motion to commit on S. 1318.House floor actions
  13. May 20, 2026Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1224. (consideration: CR H3652-3659)House floor actions
  14. Apr 29, 2026Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1224 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 7567, H.R. 2616, S. Con. Res. 33, S. 1318 and H.R. 1346. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 7567 under a structured rule and H.R. 2616, S. Con. Res. 33, S. 1318, and H.R. 1346 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 7567, H.R. 2616, and H.R. 1346, and one motion to commit on S. 1318.House floor actions
  15. Jan 13, 2026Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 377.House floor actions
  16. Jan 13, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-441.House floor actions
  17. Jan 13, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-441.Library of Congress
  18. Apr 9, 2025Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 18 - 12.House committee actions
  19. Apr 9, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
  20. Apr 3, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.House floor actions
  21. Apr 3, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  22. Apr 3, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show key steps only

Recorded votes

Sourced
  1. May 20, 2026 · HousePassed 217–198
    On Passage · needed a majority
    R 208 yes, 0 noI 1 yes, 0 noD 8 yes, 198 noEach member · Record
1 other recorded vote (procedure and amendments)
  1. May 20, 2026 · HouseFailed 207–208
    On Motion to Recommit · needed a majority
    R 0 yes, 207 noI 0 yes, 1 noD 207 yes, 0 noEach member · Record

Cosponsors

  • Kevin Kiley I-CA-3
  • Mary E. Miller R-IL-15
  • Robert F. Onder, Jr. R-MO-3
  • Burgess Owens R-UT-4