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HJR 112

Proposing a constitutional amendment protecting the right of parents to raise their children.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Giovanni Capriglione and 12 co-sponsors

Texas constitutional amendment proposal enshrining parental rights in child-rearing, requiring legislative supermajority approval and voter ratification for adoption.

Laid on the table subject to call
#family--parent&child(i0355) #parentalrights(s0095) #politicalsubdivisions(i0588) #resolutions--constitutionalamendments(i0661)
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Bill Summary · HJR 112

Legislative bill overview

HJR 112 proposes a constitutional amendment to Texas's state constitution that would explicitly protect parental rights in raising children. The amendment would need to pass both the Texas House and Senate with a two-thirds majority, then be approved by voters in a statewide referendum to become law.

Why this is important

Constitutional amendments carry significantly more weight than statutes—they're harder to change and establish foundational legal protections. If adopted, this amendment would create a enforceable constitutional basis for parental decision-making authority, potentially affecting disputes over education, medical decisions, discipline, and child custody. The language would shape how courts balance parental rights against government intervention for years to come.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope ambiguity: The bill's language doesn't specify which parental decisions are protected—education choices, medical decisions, discipline methods, and religious upbringing could all be interpreted differently by courts
  • Government limits unclear: It's undefined how this amendment would interact with existing child protective services, mandatory reporting laws, vaccine requirements, and other state protections for children's welfare
  • Competing rights: The amendment doesn't clarify how parental rights interact with children's own developing autonomy rights or cases where child and parent interests conflict

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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