Parental Rights Bill Introduced in Alabama

I first heard from Kenneth Paschal in March of 2011, when he was the Birmingham chapter president of the Alabama Family Rights Association. He was trying to persuade state lawmakers to pass parental rights legislation, and we were happy to lend our support to his efforts.

Today, Kenneth Paschal is himself the state lawmaker, and he is still laser-focused on parental rights, as shown in a recent press release that his office sent out.

“Representative Paschal is championing the kind of solid parental rights protection we’d love to see passed in every state,” declared Parental Rights Foundation president Will Estrada. “I fully support House Bill 6 and urge the state lawmakers there to make this the reality in Alabama.”

The following is that press release from Rep. Kenneth Paschal of Alabama:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 12, 2023
Contact: Kenneth Paschal (205)626-9458

STATE REP. KENNETH PASCHAL PRE-FILES LEGISLATION TO PROTECT PARENTAL RIGHTS AS “FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS”

State Rep. Kenneth Paschal (R – Pelham) announced on Thursday he has pre-filed a pro-family bill that would add Alabama to the growing list of 15 states which have opted to preserve and protect parental rights as “fundamental rights” under statute.

Paschal’s legislation ensures that Alabama recognizes parental rights as “fundamental rights,” which cannot be taken away unless there is a “compelling reason” to do so, rather than “ordinary rights,” which allow parental decisions to be overridden by state government more easily.

“As a God-fearing man and father, I stand in unity with parents across Alabama who believe that it is our fundamental right to raise our children without fear of unwarranted government intrusion and interference,” Paschal said.  “Rather than creating additional rights, this bill simply preserves the rights already afforded to parents, who will be able to rest easy knowing that they won’t wake up one morning to find that the government is trying to erode their decision-making power in raising their children.”

Former NFL most valuable player and University of Alabama standout running back Shaun Alexander, who serves as vice president of the Parental Rights Foundation, said Paschal’s measure is a much-needed step in shielding parental rights from being weakened and, in some cases, revoked by intrusive government edict.  Alexander’s statement read:

“I strongly support Rep. Paschal’s legislation that would enshrine in Alabama’s state code that the rights of parents are fundamental. While courts have long recognized these rights, it is time for the Alabama legislature to fully protect them by statute.

“One of life’s greatest honors is raising a child, which is a challenging task, a rewarding task, and, truth be told, a task that is key for the future of our great country. Few people will ever lead, provide, and protect a child like their parents.

“We must create the law that gives parents the authority to do that for their children. We must protect the family and the fundamental right to parent at the highest degree in the law. As a husband and father, I’m proud and honored to support this bill and urge that it be passed by the Alabama legislature and signed into law.”

(End Press Release) —

I encourage you to keep an eye on Rep. Paschal’s bill, HB 6, and contact your own state representative and ask them to support it when it comes before them for a vote. And be on the lookout for future alerts in case we need to urgently press lawmakers to push this bill through in Alabama.

Sincerely,

Michael Ramey
Executive Director