SB 5181 undermines parents’ rights
Senate Democrats are bringing a bill that all parents should be concerned about to the floor TODAY for debate and a vote. Since the floor leader will not bring a bill up for a vote unless they are sure it will pass, we expect Senate Democrats to use their majority to pass it.
Senate Bill 5181 says “nothing in this section creates a private right of action.” This could prevent parents from challenging violations of the Parents’ Bill of Rights created by I-2081.
It also contains an emergency clause, which would eliminate the constitutional right of voters to challenge the bill through a referendum. Policy-wise, SB 5181 would remove parents’ right to know medical information, including:
- Prior notification when medical services are offered (except in emergencies).
- Notification when medical services or medication could impact health insurance.
- Notification when school-arranged medical treatment results in follow-up care.
Read the full text of the bill.
Let’s look more closely at SB 5181
Supporters of the bill claim that SB 5181 simply brings the Parents’ Rights Act into “alignment with existing law,” but that is misleading. The bill actually seeks to weaken the initiative’s protections for parental rights by narrowing its scope and undermining its key provisions.
In addition, some Democrats gave floor speeches to explain that they would be voting for the initiative because it didn’t do anything new…it was already consistent with state law. Why the change in their argument now?
The truth is that SB 5181 could disproportionately harm vulnerable children who rely on their parents as their primary advocates. The most challenging times in a kid’s life are the most important times for parents to know what is going on and provide their kids with love and support. No one is in a better place to do this than responsible parents. By limiting parental involvement, children may be left without a voice in decisions that affect their lives.
Policy that supports schools usurping the preeminent rights of parents is wrong. The state does not belong in the middle of the parent-child relationship.
Even worse, eliminating parental notification about medical services, even non-emergency ones, is a serious overreach. Parents have a right to be informed about any medical interactions their children have at school, especially those that could violate their religious beliefs, cause permanent harm to their child, have financial implications or require follow-up care.
One important detail of SB 5181 is that the schools would not be required to notify parents about non-emergency medical services or treatments. Instead, the bill says they have to disclose the information. This means that parents have to actively seek the information. If you do not know anything is wrong, how do you know what to seek?
Also, the bill allows up to 48 hours for schools to notify parents if their child is involved in a crime or questioned by police, instead of the current “immediate” notification. Other kids could be harmed if notification is delayed or attempted self-harm could be repeated if parents aren’t immediately involved.
Adding insult to injury, the bill includes an emergency clause. This means that the bill would take effect immediately and voters could not challenge it through referendum. This undermines the democratic process as well as parents’ rights.
Watch the debate live today on TVW.
When Senate Democrats vote to pass SB 5181, it will move to the House of Representatives for consideration. You can contact the Speaker of the House, the representatives for your district, and the chair of the House Education Committee to speak out against SB 5181 and the continuing effort to position the state in between parents and their children.
Chair of the House Education Committee
If the bill receives a hearing in the House, you will have the opportunity to testify in person, remotely, or to submit written testimony opposing the bill. Learn how.