HR1023: HR1023 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 to change the Georgia Constitution rather than a regular statute. It adds a new paragraph to Article I, Section I stating that parents have a fundamental right to direct the upbringing, education, care, and control of their children. The new language includes limits: it cannot be used to excuse child abuse or neglect, cannot limit the state's authority to protect children's health and safety, and does not apply to a parental decision meant to intentionally end life. Because this is a constitutional amendment, it cannot take effect on its own. The resolution requires the proposal to be published and put on the ballot for Georgia voters to ratify or reject, following the process in Article X, Section I, Paragraph II of the Constitution.

• Proposes a new constitutional paragraph declaring parents have a fundamental right to direct their children's upbringing, education, care, and control.
• States the new right does not authorize or excuse child abuse or neglect.
• States the new right 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 intentionally end a life.
• Requires the proposed amendment to be published and submitted to Georgia voters for a yes or no ratification vote.

Parents and guardians of children in Georgia, state and local agencies involved in child welfare and protection, courts that interpret parental authority disputes, and Georgia voters, who would decide whether to ratify the amendment on the ballot.

If ratified, this would embed parental authority over child rearing directly into Georgia's constitution, potentially affecting how courts weigh disputes between parents and government agencies over education, medical care, or child welfare interventions, while preserving the state's existing power to act against abuse or neglect.

• Section 1 adds Paragraph XXXI to Article I, Section I of the Georgia Constitution, establishing a fundamental parental right over upbringing, education, care, and control of children.
• Section 1 clarifies the right does not excuse child abuse or neglect or limit the state's authority to protect child health and safety.
• Section 1 excludes from the right any parental decision intended to intentionally end a life.
• Section 2 requires the amendment be published and submitted for voter ratification under Article X, Section I, Paragraph II of the Constitution, with the exact ballot question text specified.
• Section 2 states that if ratified by voters, the amendment becomes part of the Georgia Constitution.

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 measure
• family law