SB 1390 - Parental Rights

June 8, 2010

AFHE is pleased to announce that another protection for the right to homeschool was enacted this past legislative session.  SB 1309 was signed by Governor Jan Brewer on May 10, 2010.  This bill, sponsored by Senator Chuck Gray, places into Arizona statute an important phrase:  “The liberty of parents to direct the upbringing, education, health care and mental health of their children is a fundamental right.”  This language may be found in A.R.S. 1-602. 

We are grateful to CAP (Center for Arizona Policy) attorney Deborah Sheasby who did much of the legal drafting for this bill.  We are also grateful for Senator Gray’s efforts as this is the third time he introduced a bill to protect parents rights only to see defeat until this past 2010 session.  Finally, we must also mention the support of Cathi Herrod, President of the Center for Arizona Policy, who spearheaded the lobbying effort to pass SB 1309.  As homeschoolers, parental rights are of paramount importance because our school choice depends upon freedom to decide what is in our child’s best interest.  This new state statute honors and protects parental rights on the state level for Arizona’s citizens.

Carol Shippy
AFHE Legislative Liaison

CAP Bill Recap: Parental Rights