Legis Daily

Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act

USA119th CongressHR-650| House 
| Updated: 1/23/2025
Virginia Foxx

Virginia Foxx

Republican Representative

North Carolina

Cosponsors (19)
Sheri Biggs (Republican)Clay Higgins (Republican)Richard McCormick (Republican)Brett Guthrie (Republican)Lance Gooden (Republican)Barry Loudermilk (Republican)Gus M. Bilirakis (Republican)Roger Williams (Republican)Brad Finstad (Republican)Troy E. Nehls (Republican)Blake D. Moore (Republican)Mike Haridopolos (Republican)Byron Donalds (Republican)Pat Harrigan (Republican)Mary E. Miller (Republican)Addison P. McDowell (Republican)John W. Rose (Republican)Randy K. Sr. Weber (Republican)Mark Harris (Republican)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "Families' Rights and Responsibilities Act" aims to protect the fundamental right of parents to direct the upbringing, education, and health care of their children. It asserts that parents hold the primary responsibility and obligation for their children's care, a right deeply rooted in tradition and consistently recognized by the Supreme Court. The bill mandates that any government action that substantially burdens this fundamental right must be justified by a compelling governmental interest of the highest order and must be the least restrictive means of furthering that interest. This fundamental right encompasses specific areas, including directing a child's education, moral or religious upbringing, and making all physical and mental health care decisions. The Act applies broadly to all federal laws and their implementation, providing a judicial remedy for parents to assert claims or defenses against government violations, with provisions for attorney's fees. However, the bill explicitly states that it does not apply to parental actions or decisions that would result in serious physical injury to the child or end life, and it is to be construed in favor of a broad protection of parental rights.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-6934
Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act
Jan 23, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-204
Introduced in Senate
Jan 23, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 23, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-6934
    Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act


  • January 23, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-204
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 23, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 23, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Families

Related Bills

  • S 119-204: Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act
Child care and developmentChild healthCivil actions and liabilityElementary and secondary educationFamily relationshipsHealth information and medical recordsLegal fees and court costsReligion

Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act

USA119th CongressHR-650| House 
| Updated: 1/23/2025
The "Families' Rights and Responsibilities Act" aims to protect the fundamental right of parents to direct the upbringing, education, and health care of their children. It asserts that parents hold the primary responsibility and obligation for their children's care, a right deeply rooted in tradition and consistently recognized by the Supreme Court. The bill mandates that any government action that substantially burdens this fundamental right must be justified by a compelling governmental interest of the highest order and must be the least restrictive means of furthering that interest. This fundamental right encompasses specific areas, including directing a child's education, moral or religious upbringing, and making all physical and mental health care decisions. The Act applies broadly to all federal laws and their implementation, providing a judicial remedy for parents to assert claims or defenses against government violations, with provisions for attorney's fees. However, the bill explicitly states that it does not apply to parental actions or decisions that would result in serious physical injury to the child or end life, and it is to be construed in favor of a broad protection of parental rights.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-6934
Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act
Jan 23, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-204
Introduced in Senate
Jan 23, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 23, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-6934
    Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act


  • January 23, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-204
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 23, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 23, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Virginia Foxx

Virginia Foxx

Republican Representative

North Carolina

Cosponsors (19)
Sheri Biggs (Republican)Clay Higgins (Republican)Richard McCormick (Republican)Brett Guthrie (Republican)Lance Gooden (Republican)Barry Loudermilk (Republican)Gus M. Bilirakis (Republican)Roger Williams (Republican)Brad Finstad (Republican)Troy E. Nehls (Republican)Blake D. Moore (Republican)Mike Haridopolos (Republican)Byron Donalds (Republican)Pat Harrigan (Republican)Mary E. Miller (Republican)Addison P. McDowell (Republican)John W. Rose (Republican)Randy K. Sr. Weber (Republican)Mark Harris (Republican)

Judiciary Committee

Families

Related Bills

  • S 119-204: Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Child care and developmentChild healthCivil actions and liabilityElementary and secondary educationFamily relationshipsHealth information and medical recordsLegal fees and court costsReligion