The "Countering Hate And Revolutionary Leftist Indoctrination in Education Act," or the "CHARLIE Act," aims to prohibit the teaching of critical race theory, LGBTQ+ ideologies, identity-based ideologies, and Marxist analyses in public schools. The bill emphasizes that education should prioritize foundational skills in subjects like language arts, STEM, and civic education, while promoting a neutral or patriotic view of American values and history. It defines "indoctrination" as compelling students to accept these prohibited ideologies and outlines unacceptable practices, such as teaching that American societal structures are inherently oppressive or requiring students to adopt critical consciousness based on identity categories. The bill also mandates the Department of Education to develop guidelines for permissible pedagogical practices.

Furthermore, the bill establishes a private right of action for parents and students who believe their rights have been violated, allowing them to file civil lawsuits against public schools or individual employees, with potential remedies including injunctive relief and compensatory damages up to $10,000 per violation. It specifies that the act does not apply to public institutions of higher education, private schools, or home schools, and includes a severability clause to maintain enforceability of remaining provisions if any part is invalidated. The fiscal impact of the bill is indeterminable, as it does not allocate funding for the anticipated legal resources needed to address potential lawsuits, although the Department of Justice estimates that additional legal support may be required. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2026.