Indiana Governor Mike Braun signed a Parental Bill of Rights into law on Tuesday, protecting parents’ fundamental right to guide the upbringing of their kids and prohibiting state officials from withholding important information about a child from their parents.
The law (SB 143) was passed by the Indiana House of Representatives on April 1 in a 69-24 vote. The Indiana Senate approved the bill on April 8 in a 43-4 vote.
Indiana Family Institute (IFI), a Focus on the Family-allied state family policy council, provided an executive summary of the bill, noting that SB 143:
Provides that a governmental entity may not substantially burden certain parental rights unless the burden … is required to advance a compelling governmental interest.
Prohibits a governmental entity from advising, directing, or coercing a child to withhold certain information from their parents.
Prohibits a governmental entity from denying a child’s parent access to certain information.
Allows a parent to bring an action against a governmental entity for violations.
IFI issued a statement lauding the passage of SB 143.
“After many years of pursuing a parental rights bill such as this one, 2025 is finally the year we [saw] it signed into law. Praise God!” the organization said. “We are incredibly thankful for this major victory that will protect parents and children in Indiana for decades to come.”
Alliance Defending Freedom Legal Counsel Jordan Carpenter also issued a statement after the bill was signed. “Parents know and love their children best, and they have the right and duty to raise their children according to their own conscience,” he said, adding,
The ACLU of Indiana opposed the legislation, alleging the bill “does not properly balance its goals against the privacy rights of minors.”
“Further,” the organization said, “the bill provides no protection for a government employee concerned that disclosing certain information to a child’s parent or parents will put the child’s safety at risk.”
On the contrary, the bill does make an exception for protecting the health and safety of a child, if access to such information is prohibited by a state or federal court, or in the case of a criminal law enforcement investigation of a parent.
SB 143 is a commonsense measure, but one that is critically important, nonetheless. Last year, a Catholic couple in Indiana asked the U.S. Supreme Court to get involved after the Indiana Department of Child Services investigated them, and separated them from their child, for refusing to refer to their son using his chosen pronouns and name. The Supreme Court, unfortunately, declined to hear the case.
Any legislation that further protects parental rights is a welcome measure indeed. Three cheers for the Hoosier State’s decision to do so.
To speak with a family help specialist or request resources, please call us at 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).
Related articles and resources:
Equipping Parents for Back-to-School – The free download helps you be aware of what’s going on in your child’s classroom and offers guidance for how to advocate for your child.
Championing Parents’ Rights in Education
West Virginia Governor Signs Bill Protecting Parental Rights
Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Protect Parental Rights: ‘Parents Know Their Children Best’
Photo from Getty Images.
The post Indiana Governor Signs Bill Protecting Parental Rights appeared first on Daily Citizen.
Daily Citizen