New Bill Aims to Strengthen Parental Rights in Child Upbringing

Text from H.R. 650: Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act has been received. Introduced on January 23, 2025, the bill currently has 11 cosponsors.

Below is a concise overview of the bill:

This bill, titled the

Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act

, aims to affirm and protect the rights of parents in making decisions about their children’s upbringing, education, and health care, which are recognized as fundamental rights. Below are the main aspects of the bill explained clearly:

Findings of Congress

• Parents hold primary responsibility for caring for their children.
• There is a natural right for parents to nurture and protect their children.
• The role of parents in raising children is essential and should be supported by the government.
• Parents should guide their children’s upbringing, education, and health care according to their beliefs until the child reaches adulthood.
• The bill references prior Supreme Court decisions that emphasize the importance of parental rights in raising children.

Purpose of the Bill

• To reaffirm and protect parental rights over their children’s upbringing.
• To acknowledge the responsibilities that accompany these rights, especially in education and nurturing.

Definitions in the Bill

The bill outlines several important terms:

• 
  Government
  : This refers to different levels of governmental authority within U.S. territories.
• 
  Parent
  : Includes biological and adoptive parents or anyone with legal rights over a child.
• 
  Child
  : Defined as anyone under the age of 18.
• 
  Substantial Burden
  : Any action that significantly limits a parent’s ability to make decisions regarding their child’s upbringing.

Protection of Parental Rights

This section includes key provisions:

• The fundamental right of parents to oversee their children’s education and moral upbringing.
• Governmental interference in these rights may occur only if there is a significant government interest, subject to strict scrutiny.
• Parents possess rights that extend beyond those explicitly mentioned in the bill.
• Exceptions are made when a parent’s actions would cause substantial harm to their child.
• Parents may seek legal remedies in court if their rights are believed to have been violated.

Judicial Proceedings

The bill allows claims relating to violations of parental rights to be filed in state or federal courts, offering parents more options to challenge government overreach.

Attorneys’ Fees

Provisions in the bill permit parents to recover attorneys’ fees in legal actions taken under this act.

Applicability

This act will pertain to all federal laws, aiming to enhance protections for parental rights beyond existing statutes.

Relevant Companies

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