DOJ Investigates School Districts Over Parental Rights Violations

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is actively investigating multiple school districts and planning additional lawsuits regarding alleged breaches of federal parental rights laws. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon revealed this to Fox News Digital, stating the DOJ’s recent lawsuit against Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools marks the beginning of such cases.

The DOJ has filed a lawsuit against Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS), accusing them of violating the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA). The district is alleged to have policies that allow for ‘secret gender transitions’ without parental consent.

Harmeet Dhillon emphasized the DOJ’s commitment to filing lawsuits when necessary, underscoring the importance of this initial case. Though she did not specify which districts are under investigation, Dhillon made clear the DOJ’s intention to pursue cases where similar violations occur.

“No, we’re not waiting. What we do is we ask for documents, we investigate, and then we try to resolve cases with school districts. And if we cannot, then we file lawsuits.”

The lawsuit targets internal guidance provided to transgender and gender non-conforming students at KCKPS. According to DOJ allegations, since 2017, the district has allowed students to exclude their parents from important planning meetings, leading to written plans covering various accommodations without parental awareness or consent.

Despite KCKPS’s claims of compliance with federal laws, Dhillon outright dismissed the district’s position, asserting that policies leading to secretive gender transition plans are unacceptable under existing laws.

“Well, I think you can get that from the complaint, but they had secret gender transition plans that locked parents out of knowing what was being asked of their children.”

In response, KCKPS released a statement refuting the DOJ’s allegations, pledging to contest the lawsuit through the judicial process while adhering to FERPA and PPRA.

Furthermore, the lawsuit argues that such plans are educational records under FERPA, and that the exclusion of parents prevents them from inspecting and challenging these records. It also alleges PPRA violations due to students engaging in sensitive evaluations without parental consent.

The Department of Education initiated a FERPA investigation into KCKPS in August 2025, advising the district of violations. The DOJ is seeking a court order to declare these practices unlawful and to prohibit enforcement of guidance or similar policies breaching FERPA or PPRA.

Dhillon stressed the DOJ’s readiness to defend parental rights and pupil privacy across all U.S. school districts.

“But I want there to be a very clear message to every. School district in the United States. They are on notice that if they violate FERPA and PPRA, the United State’s Department of Justice stands ready to protect the rights of parents.”