The NC Values Coalition applauds the NC House of Representatives’ bipartisan passage of Senate Bill 442, the Parents Protection Act, by a vote of 74–36 last week and the concurrence of the Senate by a vote of 28-19 tonight. The bill shields parents from losing custody of their children or facing prosecution for abuse simply because they do not support gender transition interventions. Parents should never be required by the government to affirm dangerous and unscientific gender transition interventions.

“Children belong to their parents, not the government,” said Tami Fitzgerald, Executive Director of the NC Values Coalition. “Parents have a right to direct their children’s healthcare, protect their children from harmful gender transition interventions, and raise their children consistent with their beliefs. The Parents Protection Act ensures that parents can exercise these rights without fear of the government taking their child away. If Governor Stein understands that children belong to their parents – not the government – he will immediately sign this bill into law. I would like to thank Senators Amy Galey, Jim Burgin, and Benton Sawrey for sponsoring this important bill.”

Notably, nine House Democrats—Reps. Cecil Brockman, Mike Colvin, Carla Cunningham, Frances Jackson, Nasif Majeed, Garland Pierce, Dante Pittman, Amos Quick, and Shelly Willingham—voted in favor of the bill, joining all of their Republican colleagues in supporting parental rights. The bill was sponsored by Sens. Jim Burgin, Amy Galey, and Benton Sawrey.  A concurrent House bill, HB 560, was sponsored by Representatives Donny Loftis, Neal Jackson, and Brian Biggs.

During the House Health Committee hearing on Tuesday, Sen. Amy Galey (R-Alamance) emphasized the straightforward nature of the legislation: “It’s not a complicated bill. It’s simple,” said Galey. “I think it leads to better mental health outcomes in the long run for children, because parents will not be chilled or penalized if they seek out appropriate mental health treatment. They don’t have to betray their own religious values.”

Rep. Carla Cunningham (D-Mecklenburg) also spoke in support of the bill, highlighting the right of parents to raise their children in line with their personal beliefs: “As long as a child is not being harmed, neglected, or abused, the parent has the authority to practice their religious beliefs and cultural norms within their home until the child becomes an adult at age 18,” Cunningham said.

The legislation aligns with the recent Happel v. Guilford County Board of Education decision by the North Carolina Supreme Court, which reaffirmed that parents have a fundamental constitutional right to direct the upbringing and medical care of their children.

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