Senate Bill 2199

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT OF PARENTS TO DIRECT THE UPBRINGING, EDUCATION AND CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) The liberty of parents to direct the upbringing, education and care of their children is a fundamental right.

(2) The parental right to direct education includes the right to choose public, private, religious, or home schools, and the right to make reasonable choices within public schools for one's child.

(3) Neither the State of Mississippi nor any agency thereof shall infringe upon this right without demonstrating that its governmental interest as applied to the person is of the highest order and not otherwise served.

(4) This act shall not be construed to apply to a parental action or decision that would end life.

SECTION 2. The provisions of this act apply to all laws of the State of Mississippi, and to the implementation of such laws, whether adopted before or after the effective date of this act, unless a law explicitly excludes such application.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2014.