Parental Rights Vote on Friday

Hearing Friday on Parental Rights

Dear HSLDA Members and Friends: On Friday, April 29, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hear H.B. 1471, a parental rights bill. We need you to contact committee members in support of this important bill. House Bill 1471 recognizes that parents have the natural right to control the health, education, and welfare of their children in state law. It will be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Friday, April 29, at 2:45 p.m. in Room 100. Please contact committee members in support of H.B. 1471 and attend the hearing if possible.

Action Requested Because this bill affects all citizens in New Hampshire, it is not necessary that you identify yourself as a homeschooling parent. For H.B. 1471 please give the members of the committee the following message in your own words. “I am calling to ask you to support the House Bill 1471, which would explicitly recognize parental rights in state law as fundamental and better safeguard parents and their children. Parents have a right to direct the upbringing of their children, and there should be a high standard before the government can interfere with a family. Parental rights are a cornerstone of a healthy society, and recognizing these rights specifically and explicitly is vital to support for strong families and the state of New Hampshire. Please support H.B. 1471.” Contact members of the Judiciary Committee using the following contact information: Sharon Carson, Chair, R-Londonderry (603) 271-1403    sharon.carson@leg.state.nh.us Sam Cataldo, Vice-Chair, R-Farmington (603) 271-4063    sam.cataldo@leg.state.nh.us Bette Lasky, D-Nashua (603) 271-3091    bette.lasky@leg.state.nh.us David Pierce, D-Lebanon (603) 271-3067    david.pierce@leg.state.nh.us Gary Daniels , R-Milford (603) 271-3042    gary.daniels@leg.state.nh.us

Background H.B. 1471 is part of a national movement to recognize that parents need specific protections from increasing intrusion by government agents into the family. HSLDA recognizes the need for the government to protect children where evidence has shown that they are or will very likely be abused or neglected. However, we have also seen abuses in the system. We are concerned that government agents do not always appropriately respect the important and fundamental role of parents in our society. The case of Justina Pelletier in Massachusetts is just one example that shows that even well-meaning bureaucratic systems can produce catastrophic consequences for vulnerable families and their children. Sincerely,

Michael P. Donnelly, Esq. Staff Attorney

PS: We greatly value you and your support—it is a privilege to serve you! If you or someone you know is not a member of HSLDA, will you consider taking a moment today to join or recommend us? Your support for our work enables us to defend individual families and protect homeschooling freedom for all.