The Department of Justice (DOJ) is examining multiple school districts and considering additional lawsuits regarding alleged breaches of federal parental rights laws. Harmeet Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General, informed Fox News Digital that the recently filed lawsuit against Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools, known as KCKPS, marks the “first of many.” The DOJ accuses KCKPS of violating the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) with policies that enable “secret gender transitions” for students without parental knowledge or consent.
Dhillon emphasized the proactive approach of the DOJ, explaining, “No, we’re not waiting. We request documents, conduct investigations, and attempt resolutions with school districts. If resolutions are not reached, lawsuits are filed. There are numerous other contemplated lawsuits and ongoing investigations.” While declining to disclose other districts under investigation, Dhillon maintained discretion on prejudging outcomes.
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The lawsuit against KCKPS addresses internal guidelines for transgender and gender non-conforming students, which DOJ alleges have been in use since 2017. These guidelines, according to the complaint, allow students to request that their parents be excluded from school meetings and that their gender identity not be disclosed to them. Plans may include names, pronouns, school records, restroom and locker room use, sports, and other accommodations.
When asked about KCKPS’s claim of compliance with federal law, Dhillon rejected the position, stating, “They had secret gender transition plans that kept parents from knowing what was being asked of their children. So I obviously completely reject that.” In response, KCKPS issued a release disputing DOJ’s allegations, asserting its full compliance with FERPA and PPRA, and expressed disappointment over the lawsuit filing.
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The Trump administration has signaled it will withdraw federal funding from several districts nationwide over transgender policies. The DOJ maintains the written plans are education records under FERPA, arguing that excluding parents prevents them from exercising rights related to inspecting and challenging these records. Additionally, the government claims violations of PPRA through meetings and evaluations that reveal sensitive information without prior parental consent.
The Department of Education launched a FERPA investigation into KCKPS in August 2025. The federal government informed the district on August 12 about its guidance breaching FERPA and PPRA, ultimately deciding that KCKPS wouldn’t voluntarily comply. DOJ seeks a court ruling declaring the practices unlawful and to bar the implementation of guidance violating FERPA or PPRA.
Dhillon stated DOJ is set to address potential violations elsewhere, asserting, “There should be a clear message to every school district in the United States. If they violate FERPA and PPRA, the United States Department of Justice is ready to protect parents’ rights and pupils’ rights to privacy, dignity, and parental rights in determining children’s education in the United States.” The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas deferred questions about the lawsuit to the DOJ’s Public Affairs Office.