Illinois Congresswoman Mary Miller is reintroducing legislation to strengthen parental rights following the state’s new law mandating mental health screenings for public school students.
The Parents Opt-In Protection Act would require written parental consent before schools conduct mental health or sensitive-topic surveys, replacing Illinois’ current opt-out system under SB1560 starting in 2027–2028. Asked why she didn’t move to ban school-based screenings outright, Miller pointed to constitutional limits on federal authority.
Pritzker’s office slammed Miller, accusing her of politicizing a bipartisan effort to address the nation’s mental health crisis and highlighting that she has “repeatedly voted to slash funding for public schools.” Miller fired back, saying the governor should look closer at his own record.
The bill requires written parental or student, if adult, consent before surveys on sensitive topics like suicide or substance abuse are administered and would start in the 2027-28 school year.
Story from Illinois Radio Network
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