Parental rights.
Summary
Provides that the state of Indiana, a political subdivision or other governmental entity of the state of Indiana, a government official, or any other person acting under the color of law shall not infringe on the fundamental right of a parent to direct the upbringing, education, health care, and mental health of the parent's child without demonstrating that the infringement: (1) is required by a compelling governmental interest of the highest order as long recognized in the history and traditions of the state of Indiana; and (2) as applied to the child, is narrowly tailored and not otherwise served by a less restrictive means. Creates a right of action for violation of a parent's rights with respect to the upbringing, education, and health care of the parent's child. Provides that a child is not a child in need of services due to the child's parent, guardian, or custodian: (1) referring to and raising the child consistent with the child's biological sex; or (2) declining to consent to the child receiving: (A) specified medication; (B) a medical procedure the purpose of which is to alter the apparent gender or sex of the child or affirm the child's perception of the child's gender or sex in a manner inconsistent with the child's biological sex; or (C) counseling or other mental health services the purpose of which is to affirm the child's perception of the child's gender or sex if the child's perception is inconsistent with the child's biological sex. Provides that if the juvenile court finds that a child is a child in need of services because the child substantially endangers the child's own or another's health, the court shall release the child to the child's parent, guardian, or custodian and may not enter a dispositional decree ordering removal of the child, unless: (1) the court also finds that the child is a child in need of services for another reason; or (2) the parent, guardian, or custodian consents to the child being removed from the child's home. Specifies that the parental rights and responsibilities do not: (1) authorize a parent to: (A) abuse or neglect a child; or (B) make the decision to end the child's life; or (2) prohibit a court from issuing an order that is otherwise permitted by law. Makes conforming changes.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2023
Committee Review
Feb 2023
House Passage
Feb 2023
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 17, 2023
Last action Mar 9, 2023
Floor votes · House Feb 22, 2023
How they voted
56–30
Passed · 8 other
Total votes 94
Feb 22, 2023
D
Democratic26
92% Nay
I
Independent1
100% Nay
R
Republican67
83% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
14
Key actions
3
Committee
1
Amendments
1
Feb 22, 2023
Lower · Passed
Third reading: passed; Roll Call 199: yeas 58, nays 34
lower
Feb 21, 2023
Lower · Passed
Amendment #2 (Jeter) prevailed; voice vote
lower
Feb 13, 2023
Lower · Passed
Committee report: amend do pass, adopted
lower
4 primary · 3 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about HB 1407
Scope: IN
Hi! I can help you understand HB 1407. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline