Friday, September 19, 2025
Parents play the most important role in shaping a child's life, which is why they should always have the final say in decisions being made about their child's care, education and upbringing.
This year, Senate Republicans supported many new laws to ensure these rights are protected and respected so families remain the guiding voice in their child's life.
Senate Enrolled Act 143 reaffirms that parents have the fundamental right to direct their child’s upbringing, religious instruction, education and health care. The law:
To help parents make informed decisions, Senate Enrolled Act 442 requires schools to post materials that will be used in sex education lessons ahead of time. This strengthens Indiana’s existing law that gives parents the right to opt their child out of any sex education lesson they believe is inappropriate.
Another provision in House Enrolled Act 1412 further clarifies the Indiana Department of Child Services cannot remove a child from their parents simply because the parents raise their child in accordance with his or her biological sex.
Senate Republicans also supported a new state budget that expands the Choice Scholarship voucher program. For the first time, eligibility is now universal, meaning every Hoosier family has a right to choose the school that best fits their child’s needs.
With these measures, Indiana has put stronger safeguards in place to protect parents’ rights and ensure families remain the primary decision-makers in raising children.
