Bringing Reasonable Childhood Independence to Pennsylvania

Several years ago, the Parental Rights Foundation partnered with Lenore Skenazy and Diane Redleaf at Let Grow in drafting legislation to limit a state’s definition of “neglect.” Under the law we drafted together, that term would no longer apply to letting a child walk to school or to the park, or otherwise play outside unsupervised in most instances.

Parents have always had the right to make these decisions, of course. The fundamental right to direct a child’s upbringing and care has been recognized by the Supreme Court for more than a century.

But these laws free parents from having to fight for the decision-making right that was theirs all along.

The first such law was passed in Utah in 2018, and since then ten other states have followed suit: Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Virginia, Connecticut, Illinois, Montana, Georgia, Florida, and Missouri.

These are not red states or blue states. Or, rather, they are a mix of both. That’s because support for “reasonable childhood independence” comes from both sides of the political aisle.

Experts have noted in recent years that keeping children always inside and always under adult supervision is having negative effect on their resiliency, self-sufficiency, and overall mental health.

Now, I’m happy to report that we are bringing this bill to Pennsylvania, as well.

Take Action, Pennsylvania

Last month, House Bill 1873, Reasonable Independence for Children, was introduced in the Pennsylvania House by Reps. Jeanne McNeill (D - Lehigh), Rick Krajewski (D – Philadelphia), and David Zimmerman (R – Berks and Lancaster). Six additional cosponsors have since signed on.

The bill was assigned to the Committee on Children and Youth on September 22 and is scheduled for a hearing on Monday, October 6, at 10 a.m. EDT. (The hearing will be live-streamed here.) Lead sponsor Rep. McNeill is the chairman of this committee.

If you live in Pennsylvania, please take a moment today to reach out to your state representative in Harrisburg and ask them to cosponsor this important parental rights bill. This will be especially helpful if your lawmaker is a Republican, as the current cosponsors are mostly Democrats.

Simply call or email your lawmaker and tell them that the decision of when a child is ready to play outside unsupervised or walk around the block without a parent is one that parents can and by right should make. We don’t need government agencies intruding every time we give our child a little independence. HB 1873 will protect this right and protect our children from unnecessary interference with their outdoor play. 

You might also mention that similar laws have passed 11 other states in the last 7 years, and that these states are a mix of red and blue. This is not a partisan issue.

Then, respectfully ask your representative to sign on as a cosponsor of the bill. 

If You’re Not in Pennsylvania

If you are not in Pennsylvania, please do not reach out to Pennsylvania lawmakers. Your calls will only cause confusion, and perhaps a bit of irritation from the lawmakers whose favor we are trying to win.

Rather, why not reach out to your own lawmaker and find out if there is interest in bringing this commonsense legislation to your state? We already have model language they can start with, and eleven real-life examples they can sample language from to best fit your state’s legal code.

Together, we can bring a greater respect for parental rights around the country. This month, it’s Pennsylvania. Coming this January, it could be right where you live.

Thank you for standing with us to protect children by empowering parents through commonsense laws like these!