A bill moving through the North Carolina House aims to protect parents and caregivers from legal consequences when raising children according to their biological sex.
Senate Bill 442 passed the North Carolina Senate in May, mostly along party lines. On June 17, it advanced through the House Health Committee.
The bill states that parents or caretakers cannot be charged with misdemeanor or felony child abuse for raising a child consistent with their biological sex. This includes decisions related to mental health and medical care. The bill also maintains protections against acts that cause serious physical or mental harm to children.
Additionally, SB 442 would bar adoption agencies from denying or delaying adoption placements based on the adoptive parents’ race, color, national origin, or refusal to support a child’s gender transition.
Senator Amy Galey (R-Alamance), a primary sponsor, said the bill responds to cases nationwide where parents have lost custody for opposing their child’s gender transition.
“This bill is straightforward,” Galey said. “It supports healthier outcomes by allowing parents to make decisions without fear of legal penalties. Parents won’t be penalized for seeking appropriate mental health care or for following their religious values.”
Representative Carla Cunningham (D-Mecklenburg) also supported the bill, emphasizing parental authority.
“As long as the child is not harmed, neglected, or abused, parents have the right to practice their religious and cultural beliefs until the child turns 18,” Cunningham said.
However, some Democrats voiced concerns. Representative Sarah Crawford (D-Wake) questioned whether the bill might hinder necessary health and welfare interventions for children whose gender identity does not match their biological sex.
“I worry about emotional harm if a child’s gender identity is not supported at home,” Crawford said during the committee hearing.
Galey responded that the bill’s main goal is to protect parents from losing custody over their deeply held values and medical decisions.
“Parents sometimes have to make difficult choices. The key is they should not fear that these decisions will cause the state to remove their child from their care,” she said.
The bill now awaits further consideration in the North Carolina House.
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