Title 42 — The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-73
§9852c General provisions
Title 42 › Chapter CHAPTER 105— - COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAMS › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER II— - HEAD START PROGRAMS › § 9852c
Summary
Federal officials, HHS employees, and their contractors cannot make a Head Start program use a particular curriculum, textbook, or teaching plan. A Head Start program and a local school district also cannot force each other to pick or use a specific curriculum. When the law talks about "health" services for enrolled children, their parents, or their siblings, it means both physical health and mental health.
Full Legal Text
Title 42, §9852c
The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to authorize or permit the Secretary or any employee or contractor of the Department of Health and Human Services to mandate, direct, or control, the selection of a curriculum, a program of instruction, or instructional materials, for a Head Start program.
(b)Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to authorize a Head Start program or a local educational agency to require the other to select or implement a specific curriculum or program of instruction.
(c)In this subchapter, the term “health”, when used to refer to services or care provided to enrolled children, their parents, or their siblings, shall be interpreted to refer to both physical and mental health.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
42 U.S.C. § 9852c
Title 42 — The Public Health and Welfare
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73