A Republican bill with 6 Republican cosponsors · See all 6 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Families' Rights and Responsibilities Act seeks to establish the right of parents to direct the upbringing, education, and health care of their children as a fundamental right. It defines parents as biological, adoptive, or those with exclusive authority under State law, while defining children as those under 18. The bill mandates that the government cannot substantially burden these rights without a compelling interest and using the least restrictive means. It provides legal remedies for parents to challenge government actions in various courts or tribunals. Additionally, the Act amends existing laws to allow for the recovery of attorney fees in judicial and administrative proceedings.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +8
Does this protect the freedom to practise a religion?
The bill explicitly protects the right of parents to direct the moral or religious upbringing of their children.
- Scored +6
Does this make it easier to use public money at a school other than the local one?
The bill establishes a fundamental right for parents to direct the education of their children.
- Scored +5
Would middle-income households be better off under this?
The bill allows for the recovery of attorney fees in legal proceedings to protect parental rights.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of Parental Authority: The bill establishes the liberty to direct a child's upbringing, education, and health care as a fundamental right, protecting parents from government interference that lacks a compelling interest (Section 4(a)).
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Educational and Religious Freedom: Parents are granted the specific right to direct the education of their children and their moral or religious upbringing (Section 4(a)(2)).
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Medical Decision-Making: The act protects the right of parents to access and review all medical records of their child and to consent to all physical and mental health care decisions (Section 4(a)(2)(C)).
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Legal Recourse: Parents have the ability to raise a violation of this act as a claim or defense in Federal or State courts or before administrative tribunals to obtain relief against the government (Section 4(c)).
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Financial Support for Legal Challenges: The bill amends existing statutes to allow for the recovery of attorney fees in judicial and administrative proceedings related to these rights (Section 5).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Exceptions for Physical Safety: The protections of this act do not apply to parental decisions that would result in serious physical injury to the child or that would end life (Section 4(b)).
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Legal Standing Limitations: While parents can seek relief, the ability to assert a claim or defense is governed by the general rules of standing under article III of the Constitution (Section 4(c)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The bill allows for the recovery of attorney fees in legal proceedings to protect parental rights. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill provides a legal framework for parental oversight until a child reaches the age of 18. Would children be better off under this? — While protecting parental oversight, the bill includes exceptions to ensure children are protected from decisions resulting in serious physical injury.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill restricts federal and state government interference in parental decisions regarding education and health. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill grants parents the right to access and review all medical records of their child.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this protect the freedom to practise a religion? — The bill explicitly protects the right of parents to direct the moral or religious upbringing of their children. Does this make child care cost less? — By establishing parental authority over child upbringing, it indirectly supports family autonomy.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make it easier to use public money at a school other than the local one? — The bill establishes a fundamental right for parents to direct the education of their children.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill empowers parents to make and consent to all physical and mental health care decisions for their children.
- 7/21/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/25/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/27/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/23/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
John BarrassoRepublican · Wyoming
Jim BanksRepublican · Indiana
Ted BuddRepublican · North Carolina
Kevin CramerRepublican · North Dakota
John KennedyRepublican · Louisiana
James LankfordRepublican · Oklahoma