Article by: Brandon Moseley- Alabama Today
On Wednesday, the Alabama House of Representatives passed legislation recognizing that Alabama parents have a fundamental right to decide how they raise their children.
House Bill 6 (HB6) is sponsored by State Representative Kenneth Paschal (R-Pelham).
“HB6 is a common sense bill,” Paschal said on the floor of the House, defending his legislation. “HB6 is a focus on two principles: God and Country.”
“Parental rights are related to the noble duty of parents to raise their children,” Paschal said. “Parental rights are natural rights that cannot be taken away by any form of government.”
Paschal was the President of the Alabama Family Rights Association (ALFRA) before being elected to the House of Representatives in a special election.
“The child is not the mere creature of the state,” Paschal said.
On Thursday, the House adopted a substitute version of the bill.
The bill affirms that there is no right to commit child abuse: “(c) This section may not be construed as authorizing or allowing a parent to engage in child abuse or neglect, as defined in Chapters 15 and 16 of Title 26, Code of Alabama 1975.”
The bill was also amended.
Paschal previously presented House Bill 6 on the floor a few weeks ago. Paschal, the lone African American lawmaker elected as a Republican in over 130 years, was attacked by Democratic lawmakers.
One Representative, Juandalynn Givan of Birmingham, went over the line when she referenced a song by the sometimes divisive performer Jay-Z to make a racial smear of Paschal, calling him the N-word by using the lyrics of the song – The Story of O.J. The incident was condemned by Republicans statewide.
Paschal’s bill was carried over at the call of the chair at that time, but it was brought back on Thursday late in the session while there was still time for it to be considered by the second House before the session ends.
HB6, as amended, passed the House by a vote of 87 to 8. The bill now goes to the Senate for their consideration. It has been assigned to the Senate Children and Youth Committee.
The Alabama House of Representatives will meet on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. for Day 27 of the 2023 Alabama Legislative Regular Session. The 1901 Constitution of Alabama limits the legislative session to thirty days.
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