Parents — not government and not schools — have the fundamental right to raise their children. That principle is at the heart of Sage’s Law, the legislation I filed to protect Missouri families and ensure schools do not keep critical information about a child’s well-being from parents.
Across the country, school districts have adopted policies allowing school staff to withhold information when a child begins identifying as a different gender at school. These policies cut parents out of deeply personal and life-altering conversations — and that is wrong.
Federal Courts Agree: This is Government Overreach
In a recent federal court ruling issued by US District Court Judge Roger T. Benitez, a California law that allowed schools to hide a child’s gender transition from parents was struck down, affirming that such policies violate parents rights.
Schools notify parents in every other area when students health or wellbeing is at risk or compromised. If they get hurt at school, if they have a fever or get sick, if there is a fight or even a threat, when there is bullying, and of course when they are struggling with academics.
Schools should not be keeping secrets from parents. Ever. And certainly not when there is something as serious as a child choosing to change their identity.
It's Happening Right Here in Missouri
Unfortunately, the heart of America is not immune to this problem.
Missouri school districts including Hazelwood, Kansas City Public Schools, St. Louis Public Schools, Springfield Public Schools, North Kansas City Public Schools, Liberty and Mehlville Public Schools, Parkway, Ladue, Webster Groves, and Rockwood have adopted policies that allow secrets to be kept from parents. Unfortunately, there are probably many more we haven't discovered yet.
That should alarm every parent in Missouri.
What Sage's Law Does and How It Works
Sage's Law was inspired by the story of Sage, a student in Virginia. who was secretly socially transitioned at school. When her custodial grandparent found out and was confused about what transgender meant, CPS took Sage from her home and put her in foster care. She ran away and was sex trafficked for months before being recovered.
Sage’s Law restores transparency and accountability by clearly defining the role of parents in their children’s education. Specifically, the bill:
- Prohibits schools from intentionally withholding information when a student expresses gender incongruence or requests a change in name, pronouns or gender presentation at school
- Affirms a parent's right to be informed, reinforcing existing constitutional protections under state law.
- Prevents school policies from overriding parental authority, ensuring that local rules cannot contradict constitutional rights.
- Protects teachers and school staff by making clear they can communicate openly with parents or guardians without fear of discipline for violating secrecy policies.
This promotes openness, trust and cooperation between schools and families where secrecy breeds division.
Standing With Parents & Families
I believe schools are meant to educate children, not make critical parenting decisions. Sage's Law draws that line clearly and ensures Missouri stands firmly with parents, families and constitutional freedoms.
