H.R. 7661, the “Stop the Sexualization of Children Act,” would amend Section 8526 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to bar the use of federal education funds for programs or materials for children under 18 that include “sexually oriented material.” The bill says that includes content exposing children to nude adults, stripping, or lewd or lascivious dancing, and it also defines sexually oriented material to cover depictions of sexually explicit conduct and material involving gender dysphoria or transgenderism. It would apply to schools and other recipients of funding under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, while expressly preserving use of funds for standard science coursework, major world religions, classic literature and art, and certain anti-trafficking instruction. The measure is currently in the House and has been reported by the Education and Workforce Committee with an amendment.
What This Bill Does
- Section 8526 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act would be amended to add a new prohibition on federally funded programs or materials for minors.
- Funds could not be used to “develop, implement, facilitate, host, or promote” content for children under 18 that includes sexually oriented material.
- The bill specifically says the ban covers content exposing children to nude adults, stripping, or lewd or lascivious dancing.
- The definition of sexually oriented material also includes material that “involves gender dysphoria or transgenderism.”
- The bill preserves federal funding for standard science classes, classic literature and art, major world religions, and certain anti-trafficking instruction.
Who This Bill Affects
If you are a parent, student, teacher, librarian, or administrator in a school that receives funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, this bill would place new restrictions on what those funds can support for children under 18. Schools could still use federal money for standard science classes, classic literature and art, and certain anti-trafficking lessons, but they would need to ensure programs and materials do not fall within the bill’s definition of “sexually oriented material,” including the specific references to nude adults, stripping, lewd dancing, and material involving gender dysphoria or transgenderism. For most other people, the bill would not change taxes or benefits directly, but it could alter school policies and curriculum decisions in federally funded K-12 settings.
See how this bill affects you — sign in for a personalized analysisWho Supports & Opposes This
- Parents concerned about school content Supporters would argue that federal education dollars should not be used to expose minors to sexualized material. They are likely to see the bill as a clear line for schools and contractors receiving ESEA funds.
- School boards and administrators seeking stricter content rules Some administrators may favor the bill because it creates a federal standard that can simplify content oversight and reduce controversy over what materials can be promoted to children under 18.
- Anti-trafficking advocates The bill’s explicit protection for instruction on grooming and child trafficking may appeal to groups that want schools to teach students how to recognize exploitation while keeping sexual content out of school-sponsored programming.
- LGBTQ students and families Opponents may argue that including material that “involves gender dysphoria or transgenderism” sweeps far beyond explicit sexual content and could stigmatize or suppress instruction related to transgender people and identities.
- Teachers and librarians Educators may worry the bill’s broad terms will create confusion about what materials are allowed, leading to self-censorship, removed books, or a chilling effect on age-appropriate discussion of health, identity, and literature.
- Civil liberties and education advocates These groups may contend that the definition of prohibited material is too vague and could invite disputes over curriculum decisions, especially because schools would have to interpret what counts as promoting or providing material to minors.
Key Implications
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““No funds under this Act may be used to develop, implement, facilitate, host, or promote””
This language would bar not just direct classroom use of federal funds, but also school-sponsored promotion or hosting of covered programs and materials. That could affect assemblies, outside speakers, library programming, and other funded activities.
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““children under the age of 18 that includes sexually oriented material””
The restriction applies to minors rather than older students, so K-12 school settings are the main target. Schools would need to assess age and content together when deciding whether a program can be federally supported.
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““includes any depiction, description, or simulation of sexually explicit conduct””
This tracks the federal obscenity-style definition in 18 U.S.C. 2256(2), which could make the rule extend beyond obviously explicit images to descriptions or simulated conduct in educational materials.
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““or involves gender dysphoria or transgenderism””
This is an especially broad phrase because it is not limited to explicit sexual content. In practice, it could raise questions about transgender-related books, lessons, counseling materials, or student-support programming.
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““Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit… classic works of literature””
The bill tries to protect traditional academic content from being swept into the ban. Even so, schools may still have to decide whether a given book, excerpt, or art lesson falls inside or outside the protected categories.
Official Source & Bill Facts
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- Bill
- HR 7661
- Congress
- 119th Congress
- Official title
- Stop the Sexualization of Children Act
- Policy area
- Education
- Latest action
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 632. (July 2, 2026)
- Last updated
- July 3, 2026
Latest Status
July 2, 2026
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 632.
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Ask AI about this billData sourced from api.congress.gov.