House Bill 1053: Gives Benefits to Domestic Partners

Author:
Representative Rick Kriseman

Summary:
Gives the “domestic partners” of public employees the same benefits as spouses.

Status:

2/21/2008		(House) Filed
3/2/2008		(House) Referred to Government Efficiency & Accountability Council
3/2/2008		(House) Referred to Policy & Budget Council
3/4/2008		(House) First Reading
3/6/2008		(House) Referred to Committee on State Affairs by Government Efficiency & Accountability Council
5/2/2008		(House) Session ended; bill died

HSLDA's Position:
HSLDA is opposed to this bill.

Action Requested:
None requested at this time.

Background:
Parental rights are a recognized constitutional right despite the fact that they are not explicitly stated in the Constitution. It is a fair question to ask: if they are implied rights rather than explicit rights, what is the source of parental rights?

Here is what the Supreme Court said in 2000 in the case of Troxel v. Granville: “Our jurisprudence historically has reflected Western civilization concepts of the family as a unit with broad parental authority over minor children. Our cases have consistently followed that course.” Thus, you can see that parental rights are based on “western civilization concepts of the family.” When those concepts are no longer the legal definition of the family in this nation, then the foundation upon which parental rights are based is completely removed.

In a world which widely embraces the notions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, it is fanciful to believe that any other theory will arise to replace the traditions of western civilization as a basis for parental rights.

Therefore, HSLDA will continue to fight against same-sex marriage. Same-sex marriage attacks the traditions of the family in western civilization. This is an attack on parental rights. This is a battle the homeschooling movement cannot afford to lose.

Other Resources

Bill Text

Bill History