Public Hearing Focuses on Parental Rights, Bill to Ensure Safe Ballot Transfer Advances

HARRISBURG – The Senate State Government Committee held a public hearing reviewing Senate Bill 996, sponsored by Senator Doug Mastriano (R-33), which would codify the rights of parents over the upbringing of their children, according to Senator David G. Argall (R-29). The committee also held a voting meeting and advanced four bills, including a bill to ensure the safe transport of ballots.

“My late father was a school librarian for many years – I don’t think he ever could have imagined some of the inappropriate materials found in elementary school libraries today,” said Senator Argall. “A parent’s right to dictate how their child is raised is foundational to a free society. After listening to today’s compelling testimony from parents, I hope Pennsylvania will take action and become the sixteenth state to codify protections for parental rights.”

The public hearing on Senate Bill 996 featured testimony from Pennsylvania parents and parental rights advocacy groups. Testifiers discussed the importance of the parent-child bond, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on learning, and the inability of parents to remove inappropriate material from Pennsylvania schools.

The bills advanced during the voting meeting include House Bill 34, which would provide for the safe and secure transport of ballots; House Bill 2484, which removes qualifying write-in candidates from the ballot if they do not file a Financial Interest Statement; House Bill 2633, which comprehensively reforms the law governing athletic agents for college athletes; and House Bill 121, a package of land conveyances.

 

Contact: Jim Brugger

717.787.2637

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