Assemblywoman Davies Introduces California Parents Bill of Rights Act of 2022

Sacramento – Today, Assemblywoman Laurie Davies (R-Laguna Niguel) announced she has introduced AB 1785, the California Parent Rights Act of 2022 to establish inalienable rights for parents in California when it comes to education and well-being of their children.

“Parents and children in our state have been put through an unimaginable roller-coaster the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Davies. “Choices and decisions that should have been made between a parent and their child were instead made by officials who preferred one-size-fits-all approaches for our state. Districts and schools who fought to go back to in-person learning were blocked by union demands that forced the prolong departure of students and teachers physically in the classroom. We now know virtual leaning meant students learned virtually nothing. AB 1785 is a step for California to officially reaffirm the position of parents in the state that when it comes to their child’s education, health and privacy. We know it is a parent first and foremost who should make these crucial decisions.”

The Parents Bill of Rights enumerates existing laws and rights affording to parents including, but not limited to:

• The right for parents to choose what type of school to send their children to.
• The right for parents to use California Paid Family Leave laws to bond with new or care for sick children.
• The right for parents to make the healthcare decisions for their children, unless preempted by state or federal laws.

In addition, AB 1785 includes new rights for parents when it comes to their children’s education including, but not limited to:

• The right for parents to become more involved in the school their children attend as it relates to homework, school attendance, and discipline policies.
• The right for parents to be told about the course materials being taught to their children.
• The right for parents to receive quarterly newsletters from the school about different events, activities and clubs going on at the school.

AB 1785 is co-authored by Assemblymembers James Gallagher (R-Yuba City), Kevin Kiley (R-Rockin), Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale), Devon Mathis (R-Visalia), Janet Nguyen (R-Huntington Beach), Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta), Thurston “Smitty” Smith (R-Hesperia), and Randy Voepel (R-Santee, and Senator Brian Dahle (R-Bieber).

Assemblywoman Laurie Davies represents the 73^rd Assembly District, which includes the communities of southern Orange County, including Aliso Viejo, Coto de Caza, Dana Point, Ladera Ranch, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Las Flores, Mission Viejo, Rancho Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, and Trabuco Canyon Aliso.