Legislative Session Opens
The 2025 legislative session opened January 13 with heavy pressure on legislators to address a multi-billion dollar deficit in the state budget. In addition, legislators are proposing significant policy changes that may have substantial impacts on Catholics. We urge your advocacy efforts on the following bills today:
HB 1211 Concerning the duty of clergy to report child abuse and neglect. Contact your legislators and ask them to oppose this bill which violates the First Amendment rights of both the priest and the penitent to practice our religion. The bill requires that clergy members violate the Seal of Confession and report suspicions of child sexual abuse even if the grounds for suspicion were obtained in the Sacrament of Confession. For more detailed information about the many concerns with this bill, click to view our message and send messages to your legislators HERE. Please personalize the message by sharing the importance of the Sacrament of Confession to you.
HB 1140 Establishing empowerED scholarships using educational savings accounts. Contact your legislators today and ask them to support a committee hearing for this bill which would provide up to $12,700 in an individual educational savings account which a family at our below 100% of the state family median income could use for K-12 tuition, uniforms, fees, computers, tutors, extracurricular and other educational expenses at private and public schools. The bill provides a preferential option for the poor and recognizes the rights of parents to seek educational services that best meet the needs of their child. Send a comment to your legislator HERE.
HB 1163 and SB 5140 Enhancing requirements relating to the purchase, transfer and possession of firearms: These companion bills create a permitting process to purchase a firearm that includes a requirement for firearm safety training. These bills recognize the sanctity of every human life and the rights and responsibilities that come with carrying a dangerous weapon. Send a message on HB 1163 to your Representatives HERE and on SB 5140 to your Senator HERE.
HB 1129 and SB 5121 Concerning health plan coverage of fertility-related services. These bills will be heard in committees next week. You can read our written testimony HERE. Sign in con before noon on Jan. 21 or send an email to your Representative, and sign in con before 7 AM on Jan 24 for the Senate committee or send an email to your Senator.
You can also call the legislative hotline at 1-800-562-6000 and leave your comments. However, contacting your legislators directly is far more effective.
