| HSLDA News | January 28, 2002 |
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Washington State Law Would Stampede Parents' Rights
State Representative David Quall has introduced a bill in the Washington State legislature that would allow any person to demand "visitation" with a child even, if the child's parents object.
House Bill 2322 would permit any person, even someone not related to a child by blood or marriage, to have visitation rights with the child under certain conditions. The bill's premise is that a minor child has an "interest in maintaining significant relationships with nonparents," even over the objections of the child's parents.
Home School Legal Defense Association strongly opposes this bill. We believe that it is unconstitutional under the landmark case of Troxel v. Granville (a case out of Washington State) in which the U.S. Supreme Court reiterated that parents' rights are fundamental. Troxel struck down a Washington law allowing grandparents to sue for visitation over the parents' objection.
Last year, HSLDA successfully opposed a similar bill to H.B. 2322 in Florida. Click here for details on that legislative battle.
H.B. 2322 is currently in the House Judiciary Committee. We do not expect it to pass, but we will continue to keep our members informed as to its progress. For further information, please visit HSLDA's Washington page.
