By: Hughes S.J.R. No. 70

(In the Senate - Filed February 28, 2023; March 16, 2023, read first time and referred to Committee on State Affairs; April 13, 2023, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 10, Nays 1; April 13, 2023, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.J.R. No. 70 By: Paxton

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

proposing a constitutional amendment protecting the right of parents to raise their children.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Article I, Texas Constitution, is amended by adding Section 36 to read as follows:

Sec. 36. (a) A parent has the inherent right to exercise care, custody, and control of the parent's child and to make decisions for the upbringing of the parent's child, including but not limited to decisions regarding the education, moral and religious training, and health care of the child.

(b) The state or a political subdivision of this state shall not interfere with the rights of a parent described by Subsection (a) of this section unless the interference is:

(1) essential to further a compelling governmental interest; and

(2) narrowly tailored to accomplish that compelling governmental interest.

SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 7, 2023. The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the proposition: "The constitutional amendment establishing parents as the primary decision-makers for their children."

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