Madison, WI – Representative Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam) joined his Assembly Republican colleagues to pass legislation protecting fundamental rights of parents. Assembly Bill (AB) 510 asserts the rights of parents and guardians relating to their children’s healthcare, education, and religion. “Assembly Bill 510 puts parents back in the driver’s seat when it comes to core choices in their child’s life,” Rep. Born said. “It ensures parents are at the center of the decision-making about their kid’s religion, medical care and education—not schools or the government.” The legislation explicitly lays out rights of parents including determining the educational setting of their child; authorizing medical services for their child; accessing school and medical records pertaining to their child; determining the pronouns used by their child while at school; and opting their child out of certain educational instruction. AB 510 also provides for remedial action if these rights are violated. These rights do not supersede a court order, authorizes abuse or neglect or apply to an action or decision that would end a child’s life. The State Assembly also took up legislation to protect elders from financial abuse. AB 578 would allow financial service providers to refuse or delay a financial transactions in the case that financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult is suspected. “Elder abuse is a persistent problem in our communities and this legislation will help protect those being targeted from losing their assets,” Rep. Born said. “As incidents of exploitation increase, it is important our laws help prevent the financial abuse of older adults.” Assembly Bills 510 and 578 must pass the State Senate and be signed by the Governor to become law.
