September 19, 2022
Dear Governor Newsom:
We are writing to respectfully request that you veto SB 107, a dangerous piece of legislation which ignores the established authority of the other 49 states, and also violates the fundamental rights of parents while increasing the risk of irreversible harm to America’s children.
We are a coalition of over 45 local and national policy and grassroots organizations which work to preserve parental rights and protect children from harm. Members of our coalition have embraced the Promise to America’s Parents (www.promisetoamericasparents.org), which sets forth 10 principles for sound laws and policies which protect parental rights through government Accountability, Choice and Transparency. SB 107 violates all of these principles, and as organizations dedicated to preserving the fundamental right of parents to direct the upbringing, education, and health care of their children, we have several grave concerns with this law.
First, SB 107 blatantly violates the fundamental right of every parent in every state to direct the upbringing and care of their child. This legislation allows the “taking of a child” to California (without parental knowledge or consent) to obtain gender transition procedures – including puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and irreversible surgeries – and impermissibly gives California courts the power to strip custody from lawful and well-intentioned parents (regardless of where they live) who may have legitimate concerns for their child’s mental and physical health.
Second, SB 107 also violates parental rights by denying parents access to their child’s medical information related to gender identity medications and procedures in California. Multiple sections (1, 2, 3, and 10) of this legislation mandate the concealment of critical medical information from parents about their child, even if that information is sought under a subpoena. This undermines the constitutional rights of parents, and also likely violates the laws of many other states which recognize a parent’s right to access their child’s medical information.
Third, SB 107 unlawfully overrides the jurisdiction of courts in a family’s home state that are usually the proper forum for custody determinations, and also conflicts with various federal laws governing which state courts have jurisdiction to determine child custody. Deference to the laws and jurisdictions of the 49 other states is required under the “full faith and credit” clause of the U.S. Constitution. California cannot ignore the authority and jurisdiction of other states.
Fourth, and finally, SB 107 makes California akin to the Pied Piper, enticing minor children nationwide to leave their families and run away in pursuit of harmful drugs and sterilizing surgeries, all of which cause irreversible harm to the minds, bodies, and family relationships of America’s precious children. According to the American College of Pediatricians, 80 to 95 percent of children who experience gender confusion will ultimately embrace their biological sex if they are not encouraged to pursue gender identity treatments. Children experiencing gender confusion need the love, support, and guidance of their parents. They do not need to be taken from their parents and rushed down a pathway which leads to a lifetime of medicalization and sterilization.
We urge you to preserve the fundamental rights of parents and respect the jurisdiction of the States by vetoing SB 107.
Respectfully,
Alliance Defending Freedom
American Principles Project
Californians for Equal Rights Foundation
California Family Council
Real Impact
Capitol Resource Institute
Center for Arizona Policy
Christian Home Educators Association
Christian Homeschoolers of Hawaii
Coalition for Jewish Values
Discovery Institute
Eagle Forum of Alabama
Eagle Forum
Empower Moms
Ethics & Public Policy Center
Family Foundation of Virginia
Family Policy Alliance
Family Watch International
Fight for Schools
Frontline Policy Council
Heritage Action
Homeschool Alabama
Homeschool Idaho
Homeschool Louisiana
Homeschool Oklahoma
Independent Women’s Voice
Keystone Policy
Massachusetts Homeschool Organization of Parent Educators
Minnesota Family Council
My Faith Votes
Moms for America
Moms for Liberty
National Assoc. of Christian Lawmakers
Nebraska Christian Home Educators Association
New Yorker’s Family Research Foundation
No Left Turn in Education
North Carolina Values Coalition
Parents Defending Education Action
Parental Rights Foundation
Parental Rights Iowa
Parental Rights Florida
Protect Our Kids
South Carolina Home Educators Association
Texas Home School Coalition/Family Freedom Project
Texas Values
Truth In Education