New Hampshire’s Bad Parenting Bill Is a Nightmare
The New Hampshire legislature is considering a parenting bill that would make it easier for the government to investigate parents for child abuse or neglect. It accomplishes this by removing the word “safety” from the legal definition of child abuse and replacing it with “physical, emotional or psychological welfare.”
That could be almost anything, of course.
“I happen to be a tax-and-spend liberal,” Richard Wexler, executive director of the National Coalition for Child Protection Reform, tells Reason. “But this bill provides not one iota of additional help. It simply turns the [Division for Children, Youth and Families] into the ‘well-being’ police.”
House Bill 553 has 14 sponsors from across the political spectrum. State Rep. Alicia Gregg (D–Hillsborough), who filed the bill, told the New Hampshire Bulletin that she believes the state needs an “updated definition of what child abuse and endangerment looks like.” She has worked with domestic abuse victims and hopes the bill will allow the state to set aside its “hesitancy to step in” and intervene “before we have a crisis.”
But New Hampshire already has “robust and effective” laws to protect children, says Will Estrada, senior counsel at the Home School Legal De
Article from Reason.com
The Reason Magazine website is a go-to destination for libertarians seeking cogent analysis, investigative reporting, and thought-provoking commentary. Championing the principles of individual freedom, limited government, and free markets, the site offers a diverse range of articles, videos, and podcasts that challenge conventional wisdom and advocate for libertarian solutions. Whether you’re interested in politics, culture, or technology, Reason provides a unique lens that prioritizes liberty and rational discourse. It’s an essential resource for those who value critical thinking and nuanced debate in the pursuit of a freer society.
