Indiana Law Now Protects Parents’ Rights
INDIANA–A landmark piece of legislation designed to bolster the rights of parents in Indiana is officially in effect today. State Senator Liz Brown, author of Senate Bill 143, championed this bill as a crucial step to protect families from potential government overreach, particularly regarding decisions about their children’s upbringing.
This new law reinforces the fundamental right of parents to make decisions concerning their children’s health, education, and religious instruction. It establishes a clear legal standard, ensuring that governmental entities cannot substantially burden these parental rights unless it’s to advance a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means of doing so.
The legislation was deemed necessary by supporters to create a vital layer of protection between parents and the government, specifically addressing concerns related to agencies like the Indiana Department of Child Services. For many, especially homeschooling groups and households, this law brings a significant sense of relief and added confidence in their autonomy to guide their children’s education and overall well-being.
Senate Bill 143 also includes specific provisions aimed at increasing transparency and communication within families. It grants parents greater access to their children’s health information, ensuring they are better informed about their child’s well-being. Furthermore, the law explicitly prohibits any governmental entity from advising, directing, or coercing a child to withhold information from their parents, safeguarding the parent-child relationship against undue external influence.
