"Parents' Bill of Rights Act"; enact and bring forward provisions related to.

HB 1516, the "Parents' Bill of Rights Act," establishes that parents in Mississippi have a fundamental right to direct their child's upbringing, education, health care, and mental health. The bill requires school districts to create policies allowing parents to access their child's educational records (including grades, health information, and curriculum materials) within 10 days of a written or electronic request, and prohibits school staff from withholding health-related information or pressuring children to hide information from parents. It also sets a high standard for state actions that might limit parental rights, requiring any such action to demonstrate a compelling government interest and use the least restrictive means possible. The bill directly affects parents of children under 18 in Mississippi public schools and school district employees.