| Elevating Parental Rights Families are the foundation of a healthy society. There is no more important organization and no entity can do more to solve the problems of our world. Absent abuse or neglect, the home is the place government should never encroach. Parents should be given broad latitude to raise their children without government interference. That’s why I supported a new law this year that gives parental rights the same legal protection against government intrusion as rights like free speech and freedom of religion. Under the new law: Parents have the fundamental right to direct their child’s upbringing, religious instruction, education and health care; The government cannot deny a parent access to information related to their child’s health care or social, emotional and behavioral well-being; and Government employees cannot advise, direct or coerce a child to withhold information from their parents. It’s important to note the law does not allow a parent to commit child abuse or neglect, and the prohibition on withholding information from a parent does not apply to a parent under criminal investigation where the police have requested information be withheld. Elevating parental rights under Indiana law is a common-sense measure to support our families around the state, and I was pleased to vote for it. |
