H. R. 7981

Stop Secret Counseling of Students Act

Shown here: Introduced in House (2026-03-18)

To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to prohibit funds under such Act from being provided to public elementary and secondary schools that provide counseling, therapy, or guidance related to gender identity to students under 18 years of age, and for other purposes.

1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the “Stop Secret Counseling of Students Act”.

2. Prohibition on gender-related counseling in public elementary and secondary schools

(a) In general

Subpart 2 of part F of title VIII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7901 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

8549D. Prohibition on gender-related counseling
(a) In general
No funds under this Act may be provided to a public elementary or secondary school that violates the requirements described in subsection (b).
(b) Requirements
The requirements described in this subsection for a public elementary or secondary school are the following:
(1) An employee or a contractor may not provide a student under 18 years of age with counseling, therapy, or guidance related to gender identity, including assisting with creating a gender support or social transition plan.
(2) An employee or a contractor may not—
(A) encourage students to hide information regarding the gender identity or social transition of the student from parents; or
(B) provide guidance to students on how to hide such information from parents.
(c) Right of action
A parent of a student may bring a civil action for injunctive relief in any Federal district court of appropriate jurisdiction against a public elementary or secondary school for a violation of a requirement described in subsection (b) by an employee or a contractor of such school with respect to such student.

(b) Table of contents

The table of contents in section 2 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 8549C the following:

Sec. 8549D. Prohibition on gender-related counseling.

H. R. 7981

Stop Secret Counseling of Students Act

Shown here: Introduced in House (2026-03-18)

2. Prohibition on gender-related counseling in public elementary and secondary schools

(a) In general

Subpart 2 of part F of title VIII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7901 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

8549D. Prohibition on gender-related counseling

(a) In general

No funds under this Act may be provided to a public elementary or secondary school that violates the requirements described in subsection (b).

(b) Requirements

The requirements described in this subsection for a public elementary or secondary school are the following:

(1) An employee or a contractor may not provide a student under 18 years of age with counseling, therapy, or guidance related to gender identity, including assisting with creating a gender support or social transition plan.

(2) An employee or a contractor may not—

(A) encourage students to hide information regarding the gender identity or social transition of the student from parents; or

(B) provide guidance to students on how to hide such information from parents.

(c) Right of action

A parent of a student may bring a civil action for injunctive relief in any Federal district court of appropriate jurisdiction against a public elementary or secondary school for a violation of a requirement described in subsection (b) by an employee or a contractor of such school with respect to such student.

(b) Table of contents

The table of contents in section 2 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 8549C the following:

Sec. 8549D. Prohibition on gender-related counseling.