Bill Name: Bill of Rights for the Children and Youth of California: joint legislative committee

Bill Author(s): Pan

Legislative Session / Year: 2017

State: California

AVFCA Position: Oppose

Bill Synopsis: The bill request itself was benign, asking for the creation of a Joint Legislative Committee on Children and Youth, consisting of 9 Senators and 9 Assembly members, which will “develop “California’s Promise to its Children and Youth,” a framework for the care and welfare of the state’s children and youth in various contexts, including, but not limited to, health care, nutrition, homeless assistance, education, and foster care, to serve as an example to other states by raising the standard of living for California’s children and youth.” However, its intention is far from benign – in short, if passed, it would allow the state of California to create policy around what is in a child’s best interest, not the parent. While we all want kids to be safe and healthy, it is the parents decision, not the states, how to raise a child. It also has a sneaky and unusual language which would question the integrity of the legislative process and set dangerous precedent. For more info and flyers to share, please go to www.SB18.info

Effective Date if Passed: 30/11/2020