PRINTER'S NO. 2141
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1512
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY TALLMAN, METCALFE, PICKETT, MALONEY, KNOWLES,
McGINNIS, DUSH, DIAMOND, B. MILLER, FEE, KAUFFMAN, GIBBONS
AND ZIMMERMAN, AUGUST 26, 2015
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH, AUGUST 26, 2015
AN ACT
Providing for parental rights protection.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Parental
Rights Protection Act.
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Commonwealth agency." The Commonwealth, including the
Executive Department and its boards and commissions; an
independent administrative department, board and commission; or
a public official thereof, acting under color of State law.
"Non-Commonwealth agency." A political subdivision,
municipal authority or any other local government
instrumentality authorized by law, or a public official thereof
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under color of State law.
Section 3. Parental rights protected.
(a) General rule.--The liberty of a parent to direct the
upbringing, education and care of the parent's child is a
fundamental right.
(b) Infringement.--Neither a Commonwealth agency nor a non-
Commonwealth agency may infringe upon this right without
demonstrating that its governmental interest as applied to the
person is of the highest order and not otherwise served.
Section 4. Applicability.
This act shall apply to any State or local law or ordinance
and the implementation of that law or ordinance, whether
statutory or otherwise and whether adopted or effective prior to
or after the effective date of this act. Any law enacted by the
General Assembly after the effective date of this act shall be
subject to this act unless the General Assembly expressly
excludes that law from this act by specific reference to this
act.
Section 5. Effective date.
This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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