================================================================= ALAWON Volume 5, Number 26 ISSN 1069-7799 May 14, 1996 American Library Association Washington Office Newsline In this issue: (93 lines) OPPOSE H.R. 1946/S. 984, PARENTAL RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES ACT _______________________________________________________________ OPPOSE H.R. 1946/S. 984, PARENTAL RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES ACT The Parental Rights and Responsibilities Act, S. 984, H.R. 1946, states that no federal, state or local government _shall interfere with or usurp the right of a parent to direct the upbringing of the child of the parent._ This legislation is part of the Christian Coalition's Contract with the American Family. Many organizations, including ALA, are concerned that this legislation, while appearing innocuous, could actually jeopardize parents' rights. ALA has joined a coalition of organizations to formally oppose this act and urge its defeat. Other organizations in opposition include: American Academy of Pediatric, American Association of University Women, National Association of Social Workers, National PTA, and the National School Boards Association along with a number of church organizations including the Episcopal Church, Presbyterian Church, USA Washington Office, and the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee. There are numerous arguments for opposing this bill: -- State and local laws to protect children and provide health and education services would be pre-empted by this legislation. -- The bill pits parents against parents, and encourages lawsuits, not cooperation. -- Local communities can best address local concerns. -- This legislation is unnecessary, unwarranted, and costly. If this sweeping legislation passes, it is predicted that attacks could be directed toward virtually any program or policy affecting children, as well as the individuals that administer them. For example, a lawsuit could be brought against: * librarian for placing a book about a controversial subject on the shelves; * a teacher for having a classroom discussion about Romeo and Juliet and suicide; and/or * a pediatrician for reporting a case of suspected child abuse. BACKGROUND: Some analysts predict, that empowered by this legislation, right-wing activists could have veto power over any state law or regulation related to children's education, health and mental health, and discipline. Measures to protect the well-being of children could be overturned. This legislation has been strongly promoted by the Christian Coalition, Concerned Women for America, and other far-right organizations and was passed by the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Administrative Oversight on April 17. ACTION NEEDED: The Senate Judiciary Committee may vote on S.984 as soon as May 23. Library supporters are asked to write the full Judiciary Committee as soon as possible and ask them to reject S. 984. The members of the Judiciary Committee are: Hatch (R-UT), Thurmond (R-SC), Simpson (R-WY), Grassley (R-IA), Specter (R-PA), Brown (R-CO), Thompson (R-TN), Kyl (R-AZ), DeWine (R-OH), Abraham (R-MI), Biden (D-DE), Kennedy (D-MA), Leahy (D-VT), Heflin (D-AL), Simon (D-IL), Kohl (D-WI), Feinstein (D-CA), and Feingold (D-WI). Watch pending ALAWON reports in case this bill gets moved up suddenly on the committee's legislative calendar. Earlier reports indicated that the full committee might vote this week so opponents of this legislation should be prepared to react quickly. _________________________________________________________________ ALAWON is a free, irregular publication of the American Library Association Washington Office. To subscribe, send the message "subscribe ala-wo [your_firstname] [your_lastname]" to . ALAWON archives gopher.ala.org; select Washington Office Newsline. Web page HTTP://www.ala.org/alawashington.html. ALA Washington Office 202.628.8410 (V) 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, #403 202.628.8419 (F) Washington, DC 20004-1701 Lynne E. Bradley, Editor All materials subject to copyright by the American Library Association may be reprinted or redistributed for noncommercial purposes with appropriate credits. =================================================================