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Senate passes parental rights measure, sends it to House for consideration

The Indiana Statehouse's northwestern exterior. An extremely clear day makes the windows on the building's exterior light up blue. The dome is wrapped in red scaffolding.
Lauren Chapman
/
IPB News
This is the third attempt by the legislature at passing a bill like this in as many years.

The Indiana Senate passed a measure to give parents legal recourse when they feel their rights have been violated by government entities — including schools and the Department of Child Services.

Sen. Liz Brown (R-Fort Wayne) authored Senate Bill 143. She said for government entities to get involved in the upbringing, education, health care or religious instruction of a child, they have to meet an exceptional legal standard.

“But for that compelling interest — by the state of Indiana — they’re going to stay out of the relationship between a parent and child,” Brown said.

This is the third attempt at passing a bill like this in as many years. Similar laws have been passed in other states to prevent school districts from affirming transgender students.

READ MORE: How do I follow Indiana’s legislative session? Here’s your guide to demystify the process

Join the conversation and sign up for our weekly text group: the Indiana Two-Way. Your comments and questions help us find the answers you need on statewide issues, including our project Civically, Indiana and our 2025 bill tracker.

Senate Democratic leader Shelli Yoder (D-Bloomington) raised concerns over language in the bill. The legislation says “if a child does not have an affirmative right of access” to a certain medical treatment, then the bill doesn’t grant access to it.

“The wellbeing of Indiana’s children and the rights of their families must—must not be sacrificed to political interference,” Yoder said.

Brown said that language does not allow parents to override bans already in place for medical treatment of minors — including gender-affirming care and abortion.

The measure passed the Senate 44-5, splitting party lines. It now goes to the House for consideration.

Lauren is our digital editor. Contact her at lauren@ipbnews.org or follow her on Twitter at @laurenechapman_.

Lauren is the digital editor for our statewide collaboration, and is based in Indianapolis at WFYI. Since starting for IPB News in 2016, she's covered everything from protests and COVID-19 to esports and policy. She's a proud Ball State University alumna and grew up on the west side of Indianapolis.