[VT | December 18, 2025 Washington, D.C.] U.S. Representative Harriet Hageman (R-WY) has introduced the Parental Rights Relief Act, legislation aimed at strengthening the statutory rights of parents and eligible students regarding educational records and student privacy, while establishing clearer federal enforcement requirements.
The bill would grant parents and eligible students a private right of action to enforce their rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA). It also requires the U.S. Department of Education to resolve related complaints within 90 days of receipt.
The legislation seeks to provide clearer legal remedies and defined timelines for addressing complaints involving access to educational records, curriculum review, and student privacy, and to clarify the responsibilities of schools and federal agencies in these matters.
Alfonso Aguilar, Senior Director of Government Affairs at Parents Defending Education Action, said in a statement that some schools have limited parents’ access to information related to their children’s education and curriculum, while existing enforcement mechanisms have offered parents few effective legal options when their rights are infringed.
Public records show that FERPA, enacted in 1974, protects the privacy of student education records and grants parents oversight over the disclosure of personally identifiable information. The PPRA provides parents with rights to review instructional materials, opt children out of certain surveys or studies, and give or withhold consent for school activities affecting student privacy.
Background information associated with the bill notes that in some cases, parents’ complaints filed under the PPRA have remained unresolved for extended periods. By establishing a private right of action and setting specific deadlines for complaint resolution, the proposed legislation aims to reduce such delays.
