One of my highest priorities is protecting children while also respecting the fundamental and God given role parents play in raising them. That's why I've filed SB1010, a bill focused on protecting Missouri families from unnecessary government interference based on deeply held beliefs regarding gender transition and sexual orientation.
Let me be clear: Children must ALWAYS be protected and kept safe.
Abuse and neglect are real, serious issues, and the state has a duty to intervene when a child is truly in danger. SB 1010 does not weaken those protections in any way.
This bill draws an important and necessary line.
Parents Should Not Be Treated Like Criminals For Their Beliefs
Believe it or not, right here in Missouri we have already seen public entities, such as schools, and elected officials push for parents to affirm any gender ideology a child chooses regardless of the parent's beliefs. This is why I filed SB 1010.
During the 2024 legislative session, in a Senate Education Committee hearing on SB 728, a Democrat senator offered an amendment (shown below) that would have required schools who contact parents regarding their child's gender identity or sexual orientation choice to also notify Children's Division within the Department of Social Services and alert them that the student is at high risk of homelessness.
Another Democrat senator then offered an amendment to this amendment by adding "and subject to child abuse" after "homeless." The amendment to the amendment was made spontaneously and was followed by a voice vote, which failed. A roll call vote was then taken on the underlying amendment, which is seen above. Thankfully, it failed. One Republican senator voted yes, which made the vote 5-4.
My bill, SB 1010, makes it clear that a child cannot be considered abused or neglected and they could never be investigated or taken from their family because a parent does not affirm the child's gender identity or sexual orientation.
These are Matters of Faith & Family
Government has no business stepping in and declaring those beliefs harmful.
Under this bill:
- The Children's Division could not initiate an investigation or review based on non-affirming parenting
- The child who is not affirmed would not be considered neglected or abused
- Non-affirming parents would not be accused of endangering the welfare of a child
Parent's should not lose their natural rights or their children because of their faith-based or traditional views.
Protecting Children Without Undermining Parents
SB 1010 strikes a careful balance. It protects children from real harm while also protecting families from government overreach. We can do both.
Missouri should be a state where:
- Children are safe
- Parent's rights are protected
- Faith is not treated as abuse
