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Committee hears hours of testimony on parental‑rights bill; members hold measure for amendment
Summary
Senate Bill 143, a measure to codify parental rights and create a statutory cause of action, drew extensive testimony from parents, attorneys and advocates about interactions with Department of Child Services and schools; the committee held the bill for amendment and planned a vote next week.
Senate Bill 143, a bill that would declare parental rights fundamental and allow a statutory cause of action against governmental entities in some circumstances, drew extended testimony and follow-up questions from members of the Judiciary Committee on its first hearing.
Sponsor Chair Liz Brown opened the discussion and said the measure, described as advancing parental involvement and codifying case law standards, had been negotiated following last year’s session. Jordan Carpenter of the Center for Public Policy at Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) testified in support and described clients who say school and government officials altered records or withheld information from parents. Carpenter told the committee: "Parents have a fundamental right to the care, custody, and control of their children," and said the bill would elevate that right in state code while preserving immunities for judicial officers and government employees acting within the scope of their duties.
Multiple parents and attorneys gave detailed…
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