Story perspectives

Walberg Bills Ban Gender-Identity Teaching, Require Consent

4/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) led on April 3 the introduction of H.R. 2616 and H.R. 2617, requiring consent for gender-marker changes and banning gender-identity teaching.
The bills apply to schools funded under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, covering 90 % of schools.
Human Rights Campaign officials called the proposals cruel and warned they would raise harassment, a view echoed by President Donald Trump’s executive order directing agencies to recognize the sex assigned at birth.

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Story summary

Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) led on April 3 the introduction of H.R. 2616 and H.R. 2617, requiring consent for gender-marker changes and banning gender-identity teaching.
The bills apply to schools funded under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, covering 90 % of schools.
Human Rights Campaign officials called the proposals cruel and warned they would raise harassment, a view echoed by President Donald Trump’s executive order directing agencies to recognize the sex assigned at birth.