By Legislative Liaison Carolyn Martin

Who’s in Charge?

The real question our culture seems to be grappling with is who gets to decide? Is it parents or is it the state that has the best interest of the child in mind? When it comes to right and wrong, who is the authority? Is it the individual, the majority, the state, or God?

Until the counter-culture revolution in the 1960s, most Americans agreed on the answers to those questions. Parents knew best and God was the author of right and wrong. No longer do we hold these truths to be self-evident. Instead of looking to God, some base their morality on a feeling, informed by nothing more than a sense of right and wrong.

Unfortunately, misguided morality can lead lawmakers to make bad policy. God has given parents the responsibility of raising up and disciplining the next generation. Several bills that diminish the authority of parents and strengthen a child’s autonomy could become law this year in Colorado. Over the past several years, they have been defeated by a small bulwark which has now crumbled. These bills include: 

• HB19-1120 Youth Mental Health Education & Suicide Prevention will allow children as young as 12 years old to contract with a mental health provider without parental consent. Unless a child gives permission, a counselor cannot tell a parent the mental condition of their own child.
• HB19-1129 Prohibit Conversion Therapy for a Minor will forbid licensed mental health providers from assisting youth in “efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attraction or feelings toward individuals of the same sex.” Parents with minors struggling with homosexual attraction or gender identity disorder will be left without a safe place for their child to heal.

These two bills coupled together will serve to push vulnerable children into the LGBT lifestyle. I am sure God’s heart is breaking. Warn your friends of the danger.

If the Lord leads, please consider contacting your legislators and letting them know your opinion. Consider testifying if you have any experience with mental health issues. Without a push back from parents and favor of the Lord, these bills will become law.

Coming Up

Word about HB19-1032 Comprehensive Sexuality Education has gotten out. A public hearing is scheduled for today at 1:30 pm in the House Health & Insurance Committee. Please, pray this bill is stopped in committee. You can read my previous post about this bill here. 

Homeschool Bill?

We need not fear what the Lord has planned. There has been talk in the media about a bill that could increase homeschool regulations or government oversight of homeschoolers. At this point, it is just conjecture. Be assured that I am in close communication with the legislators who actively homeschool and have made myself available to legislators who are concerned about the recent abuse case in Colorado.

While we need to be ready to act if a bill is presented, the time is not yet. Prepare by seeking His wisdom; we can do nothing without it.

Join Me at the Capitol

Prayer: Tuesdays, 11 am, room 351. All are welcome!
Meet Your Legislator Day: Friday, February 15th. Register now!

Trusting in the mighty power and grace of Jesus,
Carolyn Martin, CHEC Legislative Liaison
carolyn@chec.org

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About the Author: Carolyn Martin

Carolyn Martin serves as CHEC’s Homeschool Legislative Liaison, working for you and other liberty-loving families to protect homeschool freedom, parental rights, and religious liberty at the state capitol. Subscribe to the CHEC blog for Carolyn’s regular updates here, learn more about legal issues in Colorado here, and donate to support Homeschool Freedom here. Contact Carolyn directly at carolyn@chec.org.