Kansas House Bill HB2407

Kansas 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/10/23
• Refer: 2/10/23
• Failed: 4/30/24

Caption

Creating conditions for the administration of certain tests, questionnaires, surveys and examinations and eliminating the parental consent requirements.

Impact

The bill's passage would modify K.S.A. 2022 Supp. 72-6316, allowing schools to administer nonacademic surveys without direct parental permission. Proponents argue that this change will facilitate the collection of valuable data necessary for understanding student needs and improving school programs. However, critics fear that it undermines parental authority and could lead to students being subjected to intrusive questioning without adequate oversight or consent, particularly on sensitive topics such as sexual education or family values.

Summary

House Bill 2407 aims to amend existing Kansas law concerning the administration of nonacademic questionnaires in public schools. The bill eliminates the requirement for parental consent prior to a student participating in such questionnaires, which can cover topics related to personal and private attitudes, values, beliefs, or practices. Under the new legislation, schools must notify parents in advance of the administration but will not require explicit consent, which has raised concerns among stakeholders about the implications for student privacy and parental rights.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB 2407 include the balance between the rights of parents and the rights of students to privacy. Supporters of the bill argue that the data gathered through these questionnaires can help schools better address student needs, while opponents emphasize the ethical implications of potentially coercive data collection practices. There are also concerns that eliminating parental consent may lead to distrust among families towards educational institutions and their practices regarding student welfare.