Our California PIE President, Sandy Torosian, is gravely concerned about Senate Bill 18, and you should be too.

California’s SB-18 is an intrusive bill that would allow the State to take your child for any reason they deem appropriate- if your children are not vaccinated, if they don’t like your home school curriculum, etc.

The bill is authored by California Senator Richard Pan, a pediatrician who was defamed and threatened when he authored the state’s mandatory vaccine law in 2015.

The first version of the bill gave “all children and youth, regardless of gender, class, race, ethnicity, national origin, culture, religion, immigration status, sexual orientation, or ability,” the right to protection, special care, and assistance, including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) The right to parents, guardians, or caregivers who act in their best interest.

(2) The right to form healthy attachments with adults responsible for their care and well-being.

(3) The right to live in a safe and healthy environment.”

The bill text has since been updated after backlash from parents during a town hall meeting back in March. When asked if this bill would allow minors to sue their parents for violating one of these new rights, Pan could not give a definitive answer.  The Senator said, “The purpose of this bill is not to go and say that there is only one way to parent your child…The purpose of the bill is not to punish people… [, but to]support children and their families and that includes their parents.”

A group in California, “No On SB 18,” is calling for people to contact their representatives and tell them to vote “NO.” Their website reads:

“SB 18 proposes that the government should have the authority to intervene between parents and children if your parenting style and family life are not compliant with their “researched-based essential needs” of children.  In all practical ways, SB 18 opens your front door and invites the government in to stay, not only as a spectator, but as a dictator.”

The group also lists Senator Pan’s contact information with resources to help voice your opposition.

SB-18 is attacking parental rights in the Golden State and must be put to an end. United States Parents Involved in Education is working nationally and within states to return local control and parental control of education; ending ALL federal education mandates and fighting potential laws that undermine parental authority, like SB-18.

Please visit USPIE.ORG and Join the Movement to Stop Fed Ed!

Please click the buttons below to share this on Twitter and Facebook.