Attorney General James Uthmeier Launches First in the Nation Office of Parental Rights

View PDF
Release Date
Apr 29, 2025
Contact
Communications
Phone
(850) 245-0150

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier is launching the Office of Parental Rights (OPR) to empower parents and protect children. This first-in-the-nation initiative is established to provide justice to parents and families whose rights have been violated. In Florida, parental rights are reserved to the parent of a minor child without obstruction or interference from the state, any of its political subdivisions, governmental entities, or institutions.

“Governments should understand that—when it comes to raising a child—they don’t know best. The parents do, and they deserve an Attorney General’s office working on their behalf,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “This first-in-the-nation office is a mechanism for parents and families to seek justice where local governments and school systems seek to 'treat,' indoctrinate, or collect data from students without parental involvement. This new initiative is another way we are making Florida the best place to raise a family.”

Attorney General Uthmeier’s OPR can assist with the following types of cases:

  • Denial of access to school records;
  • Lack of consent for biometric or personal data collection;
  • Unauthorized healthcare, counseling, or mental health services;
  • Interference with educational choices;
  • Failure to notify parents or suspected criminal offenses;
  • Coercion or encouragement to withhold information;
  • Objectionable instructional or library materials;
  • Violations of parental notification for health services;
  • Restrictions on parental participation in school governance; and 
  • Unauthorized data sharing or surveys.

Criminal cases will be forwarded to the Office of Statewide Prosecution.

The OPR is designed to bolster the many efforts Florida has taken to protect children over the past several years, including the Parents’ Bill of Rights and the Parental Rights in Education Act.

Attorney General Uthmeier’s office is launching a new portal allowing parents to directly report violations to the OPR. Further details will be provided in the coming days.

# # #