Latest news with #Parents'BillofRights'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Former educator announces bid to succeed Penner on Nebraska State Board of Ed
Angie Eberspacher of Beaver Crossing is the first announced 2026 candidate for the District 5 seat on the State Board of Education held by Kirk Penner of Aurora, who says he will not seek a second term on the board. (Candidate photo courtesy of Eberspacher campaign | Penner photo courtesy of the Nebraska Department of Education | School bus photo by Rebecca Gratz for the Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN — A former educator announced a campaign Wednesday for the Nebraska State Board of Education to succeed Kirk Penner of Aurora, who helped conservative candidates organize and win more races for the board in recent years. Angie Eberspacher of Beaver City, a former member of Educational Service Unit 6, seeks to represent District 5 on the Board of Ed. While on the ESU board, Eberspacher said, she was a strong voice for fiscal responsibility and an advocate for students and teachers. She eventually served as chair. She said she is dedicated to ensuring a 'quality education' for all students. Eberspacher is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with dual degrees in elementary education and early childhood education. 'I'm committed to supporting today's students and helping ensure the next generation has every opportunity to succeed,' Eberspacher said in a statement. District 5 on the State Board consists of Butler, Clay, Fillmore, Franklin, Gage, Hamilton, Jefferson, Nuckolls, Pawnee, Polk, Richardson, Saline, Saunders, Seward, Thayer, Webster and York Counties, as well as portions of Lancaster County (south Lincoln and surrounding communities including Denton, Sprague, Hallam, Roca, Hickman, Firth, Bennet and Waverly). The eight members of the State Board of Education generally oversee the Nebraska Department of Education. Terms in office are for four years. Eberspacher said she plans to visit communities across her district to listen and focus on how to improve literacy and proficiency scores, recruit and retain quality teachers and strengthen academics. She said she also wants to be 'a voice for all parents' and promote spending restraint. In 2023, Eberspacher testified at the Nebraska Legislature in support of a handful of conservative-led proposals, including opening up teachers or librarians to possible criminal penalties for distributing 'obscenity,' prohibiting certain medical care for minors with gender dysphoria, outlawing drag shows for minors, creating a 'Parents' Bill of Rights' in education and allowing public dollars to follow students to private K-12 schools (the 'My Student, My Choice Act'). Eberspacher and her husband of 36 years, Curt, own a farming operation in rural Beaver Crossing. The family has three adult daughters, a son-in-law and a granddaughter. Penner on Wednesday confirmed to the Examiner that he is not seeking reelection. He has given his 'full endorsement' to Eberspacher and said her experience and dedication 'make her the right choice to continue advocating for students, parents and educators across the district.' The race is officially nonpartisan, but Penner and Eberspacher are both Republicans. She previously worked as a spokeswoman for the Nebraska Republican Party. Penner was appointed to the State Board in December 2021 and won election in 2022 with 55% of the vote. The State Board of Education is currently split 4-4 between Republicans and Democrats. The split has led some to advocate for giving the governor more control over the education bureaucracy. A January vote for board chair required 54 votes in January. 'I am excited to run for the Nebraska State Board of Education and hear from voters across District 5 about their vision for education in Nebraska,' Eberspacher said. 'I'm running to support Nebraska's students, teachers and parents, and to work toward a stronger education system for everyone.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Lawmakers clash over Ohio bill to ban therapy for minors without parent consent
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — An Ohio lawmaker said a bill that would prohibit counseling and healthcare services to minors without guardian consent would solidify parental rights, while other legislators argue the measure could stifle youth experiencing abuse at home. Introduced by Rep. Johnathan Newman (R-Troy) in March, House Bill 172 reiterates regulations set by Ohio's 'Parents' Bill of Rights' law requiring schools to notify a parent of a student's change in counseling services, emotional or physical health, or well-being. Educators also must provide parents the opportunity to review instructional material that includes 'sexuality content.' Watch a previous NBC4 report on the 'Parents' Bill of Rights' in the video player above. H.B. 172 additionally bans a mental health professional from treating a minor who 'presents for the diagnosis or treatment of a gender-related condition' without first obtaining consent from a parent. Ohio bill that would require free feminine hygiene products in prisons moves forward During H.B. 172's first hearing on May 21 in the Ohio House Health Committee, Newman said the legislation is needed, given that part of Ohio's Revised Code is not in compliance with the 'Parents' Bill of Rights,' which went into effect in April. Should the state's revised code remain as is, Newman said it could cause confusion in Ohio schools and make 'them think they should or could promote children keeping the knowledge of mental health treatment from their parents.' 'We all should want to see students who suffer with mental health issues receive the help they need,' Newman said during the hearing. 'This bill seeks to do that, maintaining that the students' parents cannot be left out of the picture because the parents are the child's authority and most important and essential part of the student's recovery.' However, Rep. Anita Somani (D-Dublin) voiced concern for how H.B. 172 might impact a student facing abuse from a parent or relative. Somani argued 'there is not safe space for that child' if they need to get permission before seeking help, and asked how a teacher is expected to identify abuse without communicating with the student. Newman said he expects a student would seek counseling services after reporting an abusive parent, not the other way around. The lawmaker noted H.B. 172 would not interfere with school employees' obligation to report to law enforcement if there's evidence of a child suffering a crime of abuse or neglect. Ohio lawmakers push for stricter rules on 'obscene' drag queens, indecent exposure Rep. Karen Brownlee (D-Symmes Township) said she has worked through such situations as a clinical social worker in Cincinnati. Brownlee said there were many times parents weren't readily available when she, or other school staff, had to send a student to the hospital for a medical emergency. 'Are you suggesting that we do not get them that immediate care because of this parental consent need?' Brownlee asked. Newman reiterated that many of these provisions are already law because of the 'Parents' Bill of Rights' and said that if a child needs help and a school employee is aware, then 'parents must absolutely be notified and informed.' If there's a crisis at the school and parents cannot be reached, 'certainly we address the emergency,' Newman said. 'This bill seeks to uphold what the law currently says, that if there are mental health services to be provided, parents are to be notified. Parents can't be written out of the mental health or behavioral care of their children,' Newman said. 'Parents must be a part of the solution for care.' Brownlee also said 'it would completely go against, not only code of ethics, but would impede the safety of the child' for a social worker or educator to discern a 'gender-related condition' or any diagnostic or mental health issue, before that student received treatment. Pilot program testing tasers in Ohio's prisons; may expand statewide H.B. 172's provision banning mental health professionals from treating minors who 'present for the diagnosis or treatment of a gender-related condition' is one of several reasons the proposal has been condemned by Ohio LGBTQ+ advocacy groups. Equality Ohio argued in March that both H.B. 172 and the 'Parents' Bill of Rights' will cut off 'a crucial lifeline' for LGBTQ+ youth who live in unsupportive homes and confide in their therapist or school counselor. Dwayne Steward, Equality Ohio's executive director, said H.B. 172 continues the Ohio Statehouse's trend of 'anti-LGBTQ+' legislation and that the measure would force youth out of the closet 'in very, very dangerous situations where they're already experiencing crisis.' 'The bill would remove the confidentiality of a trans student who was experiencing mental health needs, and it could delay or keep a child from going and getting the mental health care that they need,' Steward said. 'It's extremely dangerous and another way in which our legislature is failing trans students.' H.B. 172 could receive additional hearings in the Ohio House Health Committee, which would be open for public testimony. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Morrisey signs Republicans' ‘Parents' Bill of Rights' measure
The West Virginia Capitol in Charleston, (Perry Bennett | West Virginia Legislative Photography) Gov. Patrick Morrisey signed a bill on Monday codifying a 'Parents' Bill of Rights' for West Virginians. The Republican-backed measure says, 'The Legislature finds that it is a fundamental right of parents to direct the upbringing, education, care and medical care of their minor children.' More than 20 states — mostly red states — have similar legislation. 'We're just trying to make sure parents have the authority to raise their own kids here,' said bill sponsor Del. Jim Butler, R-Mason, when he presented the bill to House of Delegates members in February. Jordan Carpenter, legal counsel for the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative nonprofit, praised the governor for signing the bill. He said the legislation will ensure parents remain free to guide the upbringing of their children. 'Parents love and know their child best, and they have the right and duty to direct the upbringing and care of their children,' Carpenter said. 'In no world should the government intrude on parenting choices just because it disagrees with the parents.' House Bill 2129 includes language that a parent has a right to educate their child through homeschooling or in public and private school, and they can access and review all school records relating to his or her minor child. It also says parents have a right to make health care decisions for their child. It does not apply to a parental action or decision that would end life, like a minor accessing an abortion. West Virginia has a near-total abortion ban that includes a narrow exception for rape and incest, including for minors who are victims of rape and incest and can currently access an abortion up to 14 weeks. Del. Evan Hansen, D-Monongalia, opposed the measure when the House Judiciary Committee vetted it in February. 'What I object to is carving out abortion based on the religious beliefs of some people in this Legislature, even though there are religions and parents who strongly disagree with that viewpoint,' he said. 'If we're going to pass a bill that preserves parental rights, for parents to decide about medical care for their minor children, we shouldn't pick and choose.' It also excludes a parent seeking to access gender-affirming care for their child because the state Legislature nearly banned that type of care, including gender reassignment surgeries, for minors in 2023. The ban included a narrow exemption for children who are diagnosed with severe gender dysphoria who are at risk of self harm and suicide, and Morrisey could sign a bill — passed by lawmakers on the final day of the legislative session — that would eliminate that carve out. Medical professionals warned lawmakers that it will lead to increased child suicide risk or death. The bill does not authorize a parent to engage in child abuse or neglect, it says. While the legislation does not lay out any criminal penalties for entities that violate the law against parents, the measure can be used by parents in court as part of their defense in relevant cases. The bill will take effect in July. The House passed a similar bill in 2024, but it wasn't taken up by the Senate for consideration. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ohio ‘Given Name Act' proposes strict rules for names, pronouns in schools
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohio's 'Parents' Bill of Rights' won't go into effect for two more weeks, but House Republicans are already proposing amendments, including one that would penalize districts that used students' chosen names and pronouns without parent permission. Reps. Jonathan Newman (R-Troy) and Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Township) introduced House Bill 190 on Monday, which would require public schools to have parent permission to refer to a student by a name or pronoun that differs from what is listed on their birth certificate. Schools that violate the 'Given Name Act' would be denied state funding and open themselves to lawsuits. Olentangy schools defends LGBTQ+ anti-bullying policies in federal court The bill also bans public school employees or contractors from requiring students or staff to respect students' chosen names or pronouns. Even with parent permission, schools would not be allowed to subject staff or students to 'adverse action' for declining to use a student's preferred name and pronouns. Although students older than 18 could personally request to be addressed differently under HB 190, teachers could not. The proposed bill would ban school employees from sharing their pronouns or titles if they differ from what is listed on the employee's personal birth certificate. After Florida enacted a similar ban in 2023, the state faced lawsuits from transgender and gender variant teachers, including high school teacher Katie Wood. A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction that said the state's ban on preferred pronouns violated Wood's First Amendment rights, and a federal court heard oral arguments in October 2024. However, the court withdrew its interest in the case on Feb. 26, before a ruling was issued. The law would not apply to derivatives, or generally accepted nicknames, of birth names. For instance, if director Spike Lee were an Ohio student, he could be called Shelton or Shel, from his given name Shelton Jackson Lee. However, he would need written permission to be called Spike under HB 190. Columbus City Schools reverts to birth names for transgender students The Given Name Act also establishes a complaint system through the Department of Education and Workforce. If the department determines a school district violated the law, the state would then withhold 10% of the school's funding every month until the state determined they were now compliant. The bill also allows families to sue for monetary relief if a district or staff member knowingly violates it. HB 190 would update the Parents' Bill of Rights, which will go into effect on April 9 and already requires schools to alert parents and guardians if a student requests to go by a name or pronoun that is different from what was assigned at birth. See previous Parents' Bill of Rights coverage in the video player above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mental health service to minors without parental consent banned under Ohio bill
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A leading advocacy group said a new Ohio bill to prohibit mental health service to minors without parental consent would stifle youth experiencing abuse at home and prematurely 'out' LGBTQ+ teens. House Bill 172 was introduced at the Ohio Statehouse in March by Rep. Johnathan Newman (R-Troy) and would ban a mental health professional from treating a minor who 'presents for the diagnosis or treatment of a gender-related condition' without first obtaining consent from a least one parent or guardian. Columbus City Schools reverts to birth names for transgender students 'The general assembly maintains that a parent has a fundamental right to make decisions concerning the upbringing and care of the parent's child,' the bill states. Newman's bill also reiterates regulations set by Ohio's incoming 'Parents' Bill of Rights' law, including a provision requiring schools to provide parents the opportunity to review instructional material that includes 'sexuality content.' A school is also required to notify a parent of a student's change in counseling services, emotional or physical health, or well-being. Watch a previous NBC4 report on the Parents' Bill of Rights in the video player above. However, Equality Ohio argues both measures will cut off 'a crucial lifeline' for LGBTQ+ youth who live in unsupportive homes and confide in their therapist or school counselor. The organization also said HB 172 could prevent all young people, not just those in the LGBTQ+ community, from speaking with a counselor, even in cases of abuse. Dwayne Steward, Equality Ohio's executive director, said HB 172 continues the Ohio Statehouse's trend of 'anti-LGBTQ+' legislation and that the measure would force youth out of the closet 'in very, very dangerous situations where they're already experiencing crisis.' 'The bill would remove the confidentiality of a trans student who was experiencing mental health needs, and it could delay or keep a child from going and getting the mental health care that they need,' said Steward. 'It's extremely dangerous, and another way in which our legislature is failing trans students.' Olentangy schools defends LGBTQ+ anti-bullying policies in federal court Steward pointed to a national crisis hotline that said it received a significant increase in calls from LGBTQ+ youth in Ohio within hours after Gov. Mike DeWine signed the Parents' Bill of Rights into law in January. The executive director said trans youth recognize that they're 'part of this political conversation,' which is leading to 'increases within the community when it comes to suicide and self-harm.' Still, proponents of the Parents' Bill of Rights and similar measures like Newman's HB 172 assert that the bills ensure parents, and not the government, are making healthcare and education decisions for their children. 'Parents don't sign away their rights when their son or daughter goes to school. They have every right to know what is going on inside the classroom, and any suspected abuse possibly coming from inside the home can be reported to law enforcement,' Senate Republicans spokesperson John Fortney said in a previous statement. 'There is absolutely no reason for information to be concealed.' Aaron Baer, president of the Center for Christian Virtue, celebrated DeWine's signing of the Parents' Bill of Rights and said the legislation protects children by safeguarding parents' rights to make important decisions. Columbus City Schools bars religious release organizations from giving out candy, trinkets 'Whether it's a decision about healthcare, a decision about when a child has a discussion about sexuality, or a decision over whether a child can access a religious released time program like LifeWise Academy, HB 8 puts parents back in control,' Baer said. HB 172 has been referred to the Ohio House Health and Human Services Committee, where it could receive hearings open for public testimony. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
