Texas voters have approved a significant constitutional amendment affirming that parents are the primary decision-makers for their children. This amendment guarantees parental authority over education, medical care, and religious or moral training.
The approved language amends the Texas Constitution as follows: “...to enshrine truths that are deeply rooted in this nation’s history and traditions, the people of Texas hereby affirm that a parent has the responsibility to nurture and protect the parent’s child and the corresponding fundamental right to exercise care, custody, and control of the parent’s child, including the right to make decisions concerning the child’s upbringing.”
According to PBS news, this measure elevates parental rights beyond ordinary state law, establishing them as constitutional protections that schools and agencies must consider before intervening in a family’s decisions.
How will this affect families in Kaufman County?
Forney ISD, Crandall ISD, Kaufman ISD, and Terrell ISD may need to adjust their policies regarding curriculum objections, counseling services, and medical consent at school. If a parent objects to classroom material or medical treatment, the district must now show a compelling reason to override that decision.
Child Protective Services and law enforcement can still act to protect a child, but they are now required to meet a higher legal standard. This change could result in new procedures in CPS investigations and court hearings in Kaufman County, potentially offering more protections for parents under investigation and granting more deference to parental choices in child rearing.
Local attorney Scott Gray, a Partner at Guest and Gray Law Firm, explained the change: “This amendment gives parents in Kaufman County a much stronger legal shield. If a school or state agency wants to override a parent’s decision, they now have to consider if this new law allows it..”
Gray added: “Issues with parents that used to be handled informally or administratively may now become legal battles. This amendment will lead to challenges that the Texas Supreme Court will have to resolve.”
The Texas Home School Coalition, one of the largest parent-rights advocacy organizations in Texas, publicly praised the amendment, stating: “Adding this language to our constitution makes it much more difficult to attack these rights and is a significant protection for families and homeschoolers.”
However, organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics have raised concerns that the amendment could complicate situations where schools or medical providers need to assist children in emergencies without explicit parental consent.
Parents in Forney are encouraged to maintain written communication with schools, request updates to policies, and consult an attorney if conflicts arise. As the new rights are constitutional, violations could lead to legal action in state court.
