Stop SCR 41/SB 18
Sacramento's Most Alarming Assault on Parental Rights
Honestly, we have never seen a worse piece of legislation coming from our California elected officials than what we see in Senate Bill (SB) 18, and its companion, Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 41. It is shocking to read such a statement, but it’s true. When the government starts to meddle in our family life, we must be very alarmed. This is exactly what is happening with the legislation named "The Bill of Rights for Children and Youth of California." It is legislation framed in a "this is what's best for children" argument. However, if you value the right to raise your child according to your own beliefs, do not fall for it.
This Action Alert is unusually long but it's for a reason. Please read on as we explain…
At times the legislative process can become very complicated—as has happened with SCR 41/SB 18. This explanation will use non-legislative terms to describe this legislation's journey and provide examples to show why we are so concerned and why we believe you should be as well.
"The Bill of Rights for Children and Youth of California" - Senate Bill (SB) 18 has a great title and might sound good at first glance. However, on closer examination we find this legislation extremely troubling because it will actually take away the parents’ right to determine what is best for their child and give that right to the State of California.
When SB 18 was originally introduced, it listed 7 “rights” that the bill's author believes should be enacted for all CA children. After much controversy, the original SB 18 was revised and has now simply become a bill designed to form and fund committees that will determine the "rights" of all CA children.
The 7 "rights" that were taken out of the original SB 18 were later tucked away in another more insignificant piece of legislation, Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 41. Why was this done? Because it will be easier to pass SB 18 into law if it is a bill designed to simply form and fund committees. Most legislators would find it ridiculous to oppose such a bill.
Do our representatives think that separating the two pieces of legislation will give cover in their attempt to challenge our rights as parents? Apparently so! This legislative tactic is stunning in its assumption that parents are not aware of the end goal.
Here are a few examples of children’s “rights” now listed in SCR 41 and our questions about each one:
· The right of a child to a "healthy attachment to a parent..."
QUESTION: Will the state's definition of a "healthy attachment" be the same as yours?
· The right of a child to "social and emotional well-being."
QUESTIONS: Why would we want the state to determine if our children are socially and emotionally well? And, will the state’s definition of ‘social and emotional well-being’ match with what you, the parent, know is best for your child?
· The right of children to have "knowledge about their own rights."
QUESTIONS: If the child believes that his or her rights are not being recognized, who will the child tell? What if the child and his/her parents disagree about an issue? Will the child need to report the parents to a possible "Office of Children's Rights" located in each school?
· The right of a child to "Behavioral, developmental and mental health screenings, including screenings for Adverse Childhood Experiences...”
QUESTIONS: What parent would want the 'state' to screen for mental health? What is the state’s definition of an Adverse Childhood Experience? Would being required to attend church fall into that category?
Interestingly enough, this legislation has more twists and turns that we believe are being used to throw concerned citizens off track. Read on.
SB 18 just received an extension and will not be voted on in the Senate until January 2018, while at the same time SCR 41 can still be voted on any day. This further splitting of the legislation is another tactic being used to cause confusion for the average citizen who typically might not have a thorough understanding of the legislative process. Please don't let all the legislative antics throw you off track. The only thing you need to do at this point is to urge your Senator to vote NO on SCR 41.
When you contact your Senator and urge him or her to vote NO on SCR 41, he or she will probably tell you that SCR 41 is only a Resolution and it does not create law. That part is true. However, that explanation obscures the true intention of SCR 41, and SB 18 for that matter, which is to write laws that provide for more control by the state into how you raise your children. SCR 41 is the first step in the process.
Contact your state Senator and urge him or her to
VOTE NO on SCR 41.
Senator Connie Leyva
11760 Central Avenue, Suite 100, Chino, CA 91710 – PHONE: (909) 591-7016
Serving all or portions of Pomona, Bloomington, Chino, Colton, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Montclair, Muscoy, Ontario, Rialto, and San Bernardino.
Senator Josh Newman
1800 E. Lambert Road, Suite 150, Brea, CA 92821 – PHONE: (714) 671-9474
Serving all or portions of Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Chino Hills, City of Industry, Cypress, Diamond Bar, Fullerton, La Palma, Placentia, Rowland Heights, Stanton, Walnut, West Covina and Yorba Linda.
Senator Mike Morrell
10350 Commerce Center Drive, Suite A-220, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
PHONE: (909) 919-7731
Serving all or portions of Banning, Beaumont, Big Bear City, Big Bear Lake, Cedar Glen, Calimesa, Cherry Valley, Crestline, Homeland, Hemet, Highland, Lake Arrowhead, Loma Linda, Menifee, Mentone, Nuevo, Phelan, Pinon Hills, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, San Bernardino, San Jacinto, Wrightwood, and Yucaipa.
Senator Anthony J. Portantino
1000 North Central Avenue, Suite. 240, Glendale, CA 91202 – PHONE: (818) 409-0400
Serving all or portions of Sunland-Tujunga, Glendale, Pasadena, Altadena, Atwater Village, La Canada-Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose, Duarte, Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, Claremont, San Antonio Heights, and Upland, plus most of Burbank.
Senator Richard Roth
3737 Main Street, Suite 104, Riverside, CA 92501 – PHONE: (951) 680-6750
Serving all or portions of Corona, Moreno Valley, Norco, Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Riverside, and Perris.
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