AFR News: Exciting Developments in the Fight for Parental Rights

June 11, 2014

Exciting Developments in the Fight for Parental Rights

Senator Lindsey Graham last week introduced the Parental Rights Amendment in the U.S. Senate – and that may not even be the biggest news of the week. In a nutshell, the following stories seem to say that sometimes it pays to push back, and it always pays to push forward.

JUSTINA PELLETIER

Both Liberty Counsel (on behalf of Lou and Linda Pelletier) and the Massachusetts Department of Human Services have petitioned the Massachusetts family court to send Justina Pelletier home. It’s probably the first thing they’ve agreed on yet. Under such circumstances, it is extremely unlikely the judge will deny their request, leaving only the question of timing: when will Judge Joseph Johnston hear the case again and send Justina home? (A hearing is currently set for June 20, but the judge has the authority to expedite the process.)

While this is likely not the end of the matter – the state’s unconstitutional violation of this family’s rights could likely result in at least one lawsuit – it will certainly be a significant victory for this family and for parental rights.

CHRISTY DUFFY

Meanwhile, a medical center in Michigan last week “messed with the wrong mom” and ended up with proverbial “egg on its face.”

The medical office posted notice that under a new law adolescents are required to have a 5-minute confidential conversation with a nurse or doctor – no parents allowed. But when mom Christy Duffy refused and sought an explanation, she was surprised to learn that no such law exists!

We were glad with the help of HSLDA’s Mike Donnelly and a partner at the Kallman law firm in Michigan to be able to put her on the trail of that information. Confronted with the facts – Michigan’s medical privacy law has not been amended since 2004, and includes no requirement for such a “confidential conversation” – the practice was forced to remove the sign and admit their error.

But that wasn’t the end. Christy took the story to Glenn Beck at The Blaze – and we’re bringing the story to you – to make sure all parents are aware of your rights. A leading medical organization has been trying for years to push this “HEEADSSS assessment test” in an effort to find and prevent abuse. But laws forcing these interrogations on patients would violate individual liberty and family privacy rights.

“If government doctors were using this, there would be constitutional issues immediately,” we wrote back in 2012. “Private doctors, however, are not limited by the Constitution.” This means your doctor can ask for that interview, but the government would violate the Constitution if it mandated them. You have a legal right to refuse. Keep that in mind the next time your doctor’s office tries to tell you otherwise.

THE PRA IN THE SENATE

The Parental Rights Amendment was introduced in the U.S. Senate last Wednesday by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC). Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) joined on as a cosponsor almost immediately. We will continue to pursue additional cosponsors in the weeks ahead, and ask that you call your senators if you haven’t already to get them on board. Read how to reach them and what to say here.

MAJOR CHANGES COMING SOON

Finally, while I cannot yet go into detail, we are excited over some major changes coming soon here at ParentalRights.org that will help us to expand our reach and educate more Americans on the threats to our parental rights. Hopefully we can reveal the whole plan to you in just the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, I can say this about it: We very much appreciate your support. This new plan looks to help all of us make the most of the time, energy, and other resources that you contribute to this important cause.

Thank you so much for standing shoulder to shoulder and pushing with us!

Sincerely,

Michael Ramey
Director of Communications & Research

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