Important measures are being debated in many states right now, including bills that affect life, marriage, families and religious freedom.
Legislative efforts often spread from one state to others, so it’s important for Christians concerned about culture and policy issues to pay attention to what’s happening around the country — as well as what legislators propose in their own state.
Here’s a quick rundown of bills in four different states — California, Idaho, Missouri and Pennsylvania — dealing with key issues.
California Bills Would Protect Infants
The California Legislature is currently considering two bills that would help protect infants. AB 1628, The Keeping Infants from Danger (KID) Act would increase the amount of time in which a mother can surrender her child to a safe surrender site, from 72 hours to 30 days. Mothers who deliver their child to a safe site would not be charged with child abandonment.
A second bill, AB 2073, would authorize unmanned “infant safety devices,” commonly known as “infant drop boxes,” to be used at safe surrender sites, like public or private hospitals. The sites would maintain the anonymity of the mother who surrenders the child, and an alarm would notify those monitoring the site when an infant is left in the drop box.
The pro-life California Family Council endorsed the laws in an article, saying:
Together, the proposals provide additional safeguards for vulnerable infants and greater flexibility for women facing overwhelming circumstances. In moments of crisis, the answer is not abandonment or abortion; safe alternatives exist. By building on California’s current Safe Surrender framework, these bills aim to ensure that when a mother seeks help, she is met with safety, dignity, and compassionate care.
The family policy council, a Focus on the Family ally, provides an easy way for Californians to contact legislators and encourage them to support the measures.
It’s incredibly rare to see good legislation like this considered in the California Legislature.
Idaho Legislation Would Guard Safety and Privacy in Public Restrooms
Idaho’s House Bill 607, Protecting Privacy and Safety in Public Buildings, requires sex-segregated restrooms and changing facilities in all government buildings and businesses that provide public accommodations. According to the Idaho Family Policy Center (IFPC), the state already has safeguards in place for those using “bathrooms and changing facilities in public schools, colleges, correctional facilities, and domestic violence shelters.”
The Focus on the Family-affiliated organization says HB 607 would broaden these safety measures to include government facilities, like state campground shower facilities, city swimming pool locker rooms and highway rest area bathrooms. It would also include restaurants, shops, gyms and retailers that provide facilities for the public.
The bill defines terms like “sex,” “male” and “female” based on biology — a person’s reproductive system; provides some exemptions for minor children and others who need assistance; and gives individuals the right to bring a civil suit against government entities and businesses that violate the law.
HB 607 passed the House by a vote of 56-13-1 and has now been introduced in the Senate. In a recent email, IFPC Policy Director Joel Fischer stated, “Planned Parenthood is actively campaigning against our bill to protect the privacy and safety of girls in every public restroom,” and he urged concerned citizens to take action to support the measure.
Missouri Legislation Would Permanently Protect Girls and Women’s Sports
The Missouri House of Representatives voted 98-37 to pass HB 1663, a measure that permanently protects girls and women’s sports from male athletes.
Missouri originally passed legislation in 2023 safeguarding girls sports in public and private schools from kindergarten through college, but that law is set to expire in 2027. HB 1663 would eliminate that deadline.
The Missouri Catholic Conference testified in favor of the bill, saying:
Preventing biological males from competing against biological females protects the dignity of female athletes, respects justice and the common good, and ensures that our laws comport with a proper understanding of human nature; this measure would achieve this laudable purpose conclusively.
According to the Missouri Independent,
During Monday’s debate, House Democrats said that the provision gave lawmakers time to consider research on transgender athletes and determine whether restrictions were fair. That learning process, they argued, is not complete.
But we already know what the research says: Boys and men, even when given puberty blockers and hormones, have distinct physical advantages in athletics. The bill now goes to the Senate for deliberation. In a post on X, the group Gays Against Groomers encouraged concerned citizens to call their state Senators and ask them to pass the measure.
Pennsylvania’s HB 300 Threatens Religious Freedom and Girls Sports
HB 300, mislabeled The Fairness Act, would add “sexual orientation,” and “gender identity or expression” (SOGIE) to Pennsylvania’s 70-year-old Human Relations Act, a law prohibiting discrimination in housing, employment, education and public accommodations.
Adding SOGIE protections to nondiscrimination laws wreaks havoc on free speech, religious freedom, girls sports, and safety and privacy. Such laws elevate sexual behaviors and identities to the same level as constitutionally protected freedoms.
Pennsylvania Family, a faith-based family policy council, details some of the egregious consequences that arise when these laws are passed. The Focus on the Family-allied organization explains that HB 300 would:
• Force doctors to prescribe puberty blockers and perform “sex-reassignment” surgeries.
• Require women’s shelters to accept biological males.
• Redefine freedom by forcing people to use someone’s preferred pronouns.
• Allow biological males to play in women’s only sports and enter female-only restrooms, showers, locker rooms and changing rooms.
• Force hospitals and medical professionals to participate in mutilating and sterilizing children who reject their male or female bodies.
• Threaten churches and religious schools and ministries with lawsuits for hiring based on their shared mission.
While Pennsylvania’s Human Rights Commission has already redefined sex discrimination to include SOGIE in its regulations, The Fairness Act would codify these into law.
Pennsylvania Family explains that the damaging legislation is being rushed through the legislature and urges Christians and conservatives to speak out against HB 300.
Related articles and resources:
California Family: Safe Surrender, Not Abandonment: California Lawmakers Advance Life-Affirming Reform
How to Get In Touch With Your State Policy Group
Idaho Family Policy Center: Protecting Privacy and Safety in Public Buildings Act
Pennsylvania Family: HB 300: The Alarming Truth Pennsylvania Must Face
Responding to “SOGI” Laws—Tone and Truth
Transgenderism Trumping Parents’ Rights
When Sexuality Trumps Religious Freedom — The Problem With “SOGI” Laws
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