Chambana Sun

Congresswoman Mary Miller of Illinois' 15th district has reintroduced the Parents Opt-In Protection Act in response to a new Illinois law requiring student mental health screenings. The bill seeks to ensure that parents or adult students provide written consent before schools can administer surveys on sensitive personal information.

"J.B. Pritzker’s plan to impose invasive ‘mental health screenings’ on kids, forcing parents to jump through hoops to opt out, is ridiculous and unacceptable," said Congresswoman Mary Miller. "My bill will put parents back in charge by requiring written consent before these screenings happen."

The recent state law, signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker on July 31, mandates that mental health screenings for students begin in the 2027-2028 school year. Representative Miller’s proposal aims to allow parents and students a straightforward way to prevent these screenings from occurring, as opposed to managing what she describes as burdensome opt-out procedures.

The legislation has support from several House members including Michael Cloud, Andy Harris, Lauren Boebert, Keith Self, Russ Fulcher, Diana Harshbarger, Brian Babin, Clay Higgins, and Eric Burlison. Organizations backing the bill include American Principles Project, Parents Defending Education, Moms for America, Parental Rights Foundation, Family Research Council, Eagle Forum, Concerned Women for America, Alliance Defending Freedom, and Independent Women’s Forum.

Mary Miller began representing Illinois’ 15th district in Congress in 2021 after succeeding John Shimkus. She has won previous elections with significant margins over her opponents.

Further information about the bill is available at Breitbart.