FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL NO. 424

95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES DAVIS (Sponsor), SANDER, FUNDERBURK, KOENIG, COOPER, WELLS AND SCHARNHORST (Co-sponsors).

1284L.01I                                                                                                                                                  D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk

AN ACT

To amend chapter 1, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to the fundamental right of parents to rear their children, with a referendum clause.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

            Section A. Chapter 1, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 1.207, to read as follows:

            1.207. Parents and legal guardians have a natural and fundamental right to direct the care, education, and upbringing of their children. No government action shall burden, abridge, or hinder this natural fundamental right unless it is in the furtherance of a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling government interest.

            Section B. Section A of this act is hereby submitted to the qualified voters of this state for approval or rejection at an election which is hereby ordered and which shall be held and conducted on the Tuesday immediately following the first Monday in November, 2010, or at a special election to be called by the governor for that purpose, pursuant to the laws and constitutional provisions of this state applicable to general elections and the submission of referendum measures by initiative petition, and it shall become effective when approved by a majority of the votes cast thereon at such election and not otherwise.

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