Strengthening Parental Rights

Families serve as the foundation of society, and decisions made about how children are brought up should be based on what parents believe is best for their child.

Senate Republicans value parents' rights to raise their children how they choose. That's why we passed critical legislation to strengthen parental rights so families have the ultimate say over how to raise their children and to ensure these rights are better protected.

Senate Enrolled Act 143:

• Guarantees parents have the fundamental right to direct their child's upbringing, religious instruction, education and health care;
• Prohibits the government from denying a parent access to information related to their child's health care or social, emotional and behavioral well-being; and
• Blocks government employees from advising, directing or coercing a child to withhold information from their parents.

This new law also establishes a legal standard to be applied by the courts in all cases when parents must turn to the court system to exercise their rights.

In recent years, many Hoosier parents have raised concerns about the government placing boundaries on their fundamental rights to determine their child's upbringing. With this new law, more safeguards will be put in place to ensure parents maintain the authority to make decisions for their child, and government entities are limited from interfering unless legally necessary.

To learn more about SEA 143, click here.