ALERT! The 2022 Parental Bill of Rights is at risk of being killed in Committee of Conference

Here’s the full story (as we know it):

This is the time where legislation changes quickly and there are many moving parts.  We are doing our best to verify the facts that we are being told and contact you in real time.  This is why this notice did not go out sooner than late Wednesday night.

HB1431, the Parental Bill of Rights, passed both the House and the Senate, but was amended in the Senate (the Senate version is stronger!). So the differences in the bill are required to be ironed out in committee of conference. However, if the members do not agree, the bill in question could just die. 

The Parental Bill of Rights is a critical bill. Here is its stated purpose:

Declaration of Purpose.  The general court finds that it is a fundamental right of parents to direct the upbringing, education, and care of their minor children.  The general court further finds that important information relating to a minor child should not be withheld, either inadvertently or purposefully, from his or her parent, including information relating to the minor’s education.  The general court further finds it is necessary to establish a consistent mechanism for parents to be notified of information relating to the health, education, and well-being of their minor children.

Here is what we know:

• There is a House version and a Senate version of HB1431.  The Senate version is far superior in both protecting children as well as families.
• Various progressive groups oppose the Senate version.
• The Attorney General’s office along with numerous progressive activism groups have made false claims about the Senate version regarding potential Title 7 civil rights violations.
• After hearing their claims, the House (Decision by Deputy Speaker Kim Rice) was unwilling to adopt the better version of the bill.
• We have reviewed these claims with several attorneys and found them to be completely false (This is what took the time to respond)
• There is a 9am meeting on Thursday morning 5/19 between the House and Senate to work out their differences.
• There is a high likelihood that the bill might be killed because the House leadership is not willing to accept the better version of the bill.
• There is a great opportunity for the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker to pass a huge change that protects families and children.

The House should accept the Senate version and concur with the changes that they Senate made.   This bill will make sure that parents are notified when a school official “..or other school employee initiates, investigates, or finds the need for any action by school authorities relating to the student…”. This means that when a student is being disciplined for being late or tardy, or failing in their classes or being bulled or similar, that they parents are made aware of what is going on.  This is a very good thing.

Send a message to the Speaker’s office to let the Speaker know that this is a critical must pass bill and that the Deputy Speaker should do what it takes to adopt the Senate version as the stated reasons for objecting are without merit.

Sample message: “Please pass HB1431 as modified by the Senate on May 5th.”

Speaker Sherm Packard: 603-432-3391

Deputy Speaker Kim Rice: 603-943-3369