Congresswoman aims to flip student screening law

(The Center Square) – Universal mental health screenings for Illinois students are scheduled to take effect in 2027, but federal legislation from an Illinois congresswoman could flip the script.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation in July 2025 requiring public school districts to provide the annual screenings for kids in grades 3 through 12, starting in 2027.

Parents could opt out, but Illinois U.S. Rep. Mary Miller told the U.S. House Committee on Education and Workforce that her Parents Opt-In Protection Act would flip the default.

“The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment, or PPRA, prohibits educational institutions that receive federal funding from requiring students to submit to a survey, analysis or evaluation without the parent’s consent, should such a survey or evaluation ask for sensitive information about the student,” Miller said during a hearing last week.

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