Crowe (SB 312) Act No. 699
New law establishes the "Parents' Bill of Rights for Public Schools".
Provides that the legislature finds:
(1)That parental involvement is a significant factor in increasing student achievement.
(2)That access to student information encourages greater parental involvement.
Provides that the parents of public school children shall have all of the following rights:
(1)To examine the textbooks, curriculum and supplemental material used in their child's
classroom.
(2)Inspect their child's school records, including academic records, medical or health
records, records of any mental health counseling, or records of any vocational
counseling.
(3)To be notified when medical services are being offered to their child, except where
emergency medical treatment is required. If emergency medical treatment is required,
the parent shall be notified as soon as practicable after the treatment is rendered.
(4)To be notified if a criminal action is deemed to have been committed against their
child or by their child.
(5)To be notified if enforcement personnel question their child, except in cases where
the parent has been accused of abusing or neglecting the child.
(6)To be notified if their child is taken or removed from the school campus without
parental permission.
(7)That the school shall not discriminate against their child based upon the sincerely
held religious beliefs of the child's family.
(8)To receive written notice and the option to opt their child out of any surveys that
include questions about the student's sexual experiences or attractions, family beliefs,
morality, religion, or political affiliations, and mental health or psychological
problems of the student or a family member.
(9)To receive written notice and have the option to opt their child out of instruction on
topics associated with sexual activity.
Provides that notwithstanding anything to the contrary, a public school shall not be required
to release any records or information regarding a student's medical or health records or
mental health counseling records to a parent during the pendency of a investigation of child
abuse or neglect conducted by any law enforcement agency or the Department of Children
and Family Services where the parent is the target of the investigation, unless the parent has
obtained a court order.
Effective August 1, 2014.
(Adds R.S. 17:406.9)