Defend parental rights in Florida!
Tell Lawmakers to reject SB 370
Our Stand: At-A-Glance
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Florida has been a national leader in protecting parental rights and ensuring that families—not government institutions—have the final say in decisions affecting their children. Unfortunately, Senate Bill 370 undermines this foundation by allowing health screenings for K-12 students with only written parental notification, rather than requiring explicit parental consent.
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While student health is important, this bill weakens parental authority and contradicts Florida’s long-standing commitment to ensuring parents remain the primary decision-makers in their children’s health care.
Why SB 370 Must Be Opposed:
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Undermines Parental Consent: This bill replaces active parental consent with passive notification, stripping parents of their right to approve or decline health screenings for their children. Parents should be fully informed and required to give clear, written consent before any medical procedure or evaluation takes place.
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Contradicts Florida’s Parental Rights Protections: Florida law has firmly established the Parents’ Bill of Rights (Chapter 1014, F.S.), reinforcing that parents—not schools or government agencies—are the ultimate decision-makers regarding their children’s health and education. SB 370 weakens these protections by allowing screenings without direct parental approval.
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Creates a Dangerous Precedent: Allowing schools to conduct health screenings without explicit parental involvement opens the door for further erosion of parental rights. If this bill passes, what stops future legislation from expanding school-based medical interventions without parental consent?
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Erodes Trust Between Schools and Families: Parents must be able to trust that schools will uphold their rights, not circumvent them. Requiring consent strengthens partnerships between educators and families—removing that requirement damages trust.
Florida Must Reject SB 370
- This bill represents a step backward for parental rights in Florida. If the Legislature is committed to protecting families and upholding Florida’s Parents’ Bill of Rights, they must oppose SB 370 and ensure that no health screenings are performed without full parental consent.
- Florida has set a strong precedent in protecting parental authority. Let’s not undo that progress.
- ACTION: Urge the Senate Health Policy committee to reject SB 370 and stand firm in defense of parental rights!