Milestone Missouri parental rights bill clears committee as homeschool advocates secure additional safeguards

A landmark parental rights bill advanced in the Missouri House Tuesday after lawmakers adopted key amendments suggested by homeschool advocacy groups.

House Bill 2426 would codify the “fundamental right” of parents to direct the upbringing, education and health care of their children, prohibiting government interference unless the state proves a compelling interest and uses the least restrictive means.

It would give parents the right to access all medical and educational records and to consent to biometric scans or DNA collection, or to opt out of such statewide data systems.

The bill also would modify consent laws by repealing a minor’s ability to agree to treatment for sexually transmitted infections or substance use disorders, and would mandate that only a parent may consent to a minor obtaining an abortion.

An amended version passed out of the Children and Families committee on Tuesday. Both Families for Home Education (FHE) and the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) had initially registered a “neutral” position on the bill, testifying that they would move to “support” only if specific protections were added.

The committee appears to have delivered on those requests. One is to prevent investigators from using the law to force recordings in homes without a warrant. The new text clarifies that state statutes cannot override Fourth Amendment protections.

It also would demand transparency from the Department of Social Services to hand over a written list of allegations to families under investigation so they know exactly why they are being targeted. The bill also exempts homeschoolers from statewide data tracking.

FHE’s Mavis Dey says the changes were about cleaning up the bill and tightening safeguards.

“We want the autonomy to direct the upbringing of our children,” Dey told Heartlander News. “That’s what we’ve always wanted, and that’s what we still want as homeschoolers.”

Defending parental autonomy is a top priority for Speaker-elect Rep. Alex Riley.

“From my perspective, we see plenty of attacks from certain segments of the Legislature trying to dictate to parents how they teach or don’t teach their children or trying to infringe on their religious rights and beliefs,” Riley told Heartlander News. “So I am a big supporter of trying to do things to protect parents rights.”

Tuesday was FHE’s “Homeschool Day at the Capitol” celebrating 40 years since Gov. John Ashcroft signed the original home school statute into law. Riley was one of the keynote speakers at the rally.

“I think it’s so important for you as homeschool families to be here, to take time out of your day to advocate for homeschoolers, to protect the laws that we have in place and make sure that the threats that continue to come don’t get traction, that we continue to have some of the most pro-homeschool laws in the country,” Riley said.

“And I can stand here right now and say that my role as Speaker of the House will be to protect our home school laws, to ensure that you as parents have the opportunity to teach your kids in the way that you see fit, without government bureaucrats coming in and dictating to you what you should and shouldn’t do.”