HR 1023: State of Georgia; every parent has a fundamental right to direct the upbringing, education, care, and control of their children; provide - CA

This resolution proposes adding new language to Article I, Section I of the Georgia Constitution stating that parents have a fundamental right to direct the upbringing, education, care, and control of their children. The new provision specifies that this right does not excuse child abuse or neglect and does not limit the state's authority to protect children's health and safety. It also states the right does not apply to a parental action or decision intended to end life. Because this is a proposed constitutional amendment, it cannot take effect on its own. The resolution directs that the amendment be published and put before Georgia voters on a ballot, with a yes or no question asking whether the Constitution should be amended to add this parental rights language. If voters ratify it, the amendment becomes part of the Georgia Constitution.

• Proposes adding a new paragraph to Article I, Section I of the Georgia Constitution declaring a fundamental parental right to direct a child's upbringing, education, care, and control.
• States the new right does not authorize or excuse child abuse or neglect and does not limit the state's power to protect children's health and safety.
• Excludes from the right any parental action or decision intended to end life.
• Requires the proposed amendment to be published and submitted to Georgia voters for ratification or rejection under the constitutional amendment process.
• Specifies the exact ballot question wording voters would see if the measure is submitted for a statewide vote.

Parents and legal guardians across Georgia, whose rights over raising their children would gain explicit constitutional recognition, and state and local agencies involved in child welfare and protection, whose authority to intervene in cases of abuse, neglect, or safety risks is expressly preserved under the new language.

If ratified, this would embed parental rights language directly in the Georgia Constitution, giving parents a stronger legal basis to challenge government or school actions affecting child-rearing decisions, while the state retains its existing power to intervene in abuse or neglect cases and safety matters.

• Section 1 adds a new Paragraph XXXI to Article I, Section I of the Constitution recognizing a fundamental parental right to direct a child's upbringing, education, care, and control.
• Section 1 clarifies the right cannot be used to justify child abuse or neglect or to restrict the state's authority to protect children's health and safety.
• Section 1 excludes parental actions or decisions intended to end life from the scope of this right.
• Section 2 requires the amendment to be published and submitted for statewide ratification under Article X, Section I, Paragraph II of the Constitution, and sets the specific ballot language voters will see.

1. 2026-01-27House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-01-16House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-01-15House Hopper (House)

• Todd Jones (R, HD-025)Primary sponsor
• Jason Ridley (R, HD-006)
• Matt Dubnik (R, HD-029)
• Josh Bonner (R, HD-073)
• Angie O'Steen (R, HD-169)

• parental rights
• constitutional amendment
• child welfare
• ballot referendum
• family law