Committee hears hours of testimony on parental‑rights bill; sponsors to amend and hold vote next week

The Senate Judiciary Committee spent much of its hearing on Senate Bill 143, a measure that would declare parental rights a fundamental right under Indiana law and create an explicit statutory avenue for parents to challenge governmental decisions affecting their children.

Supporters said the bill simply codifies federal constitutional protection and provides families a clear path to seek relief when state actors, schools or child welfare agencies exclude or withhold information from parents. “Parents have a fundamental right to the care, custody, and control of their children,” said Jordan Carpenter of Alliance Defending Freedom, who testified the bill balances parental rights with child‑welfare exceptions and preserves governmental immunities.

Multiple parents testified about experiences with the Department of Child Services (DCS) in which children were removed from their care and parents said they were denied…