Initiative 2081: Rep. Jim Walsh advocates for Parents’ Bill of Rights on House floor

good member from the 19th legislative district representative Walsh thank you Mr Speaker engaged parents raise happy and healthy kids what this initiative does is it gives parents and grandparents and custodial Guardians in Washington a clear understanding that they are engaged in the upbringing of their minor children Mr Speaker in recent years some of our public policy has clouded that certainty has left some parents and grandparents and Guardians not sure what they can know how they can be involved how they can help how they can raise their their children what this initiative does Mr Speaker is it clarifies the best system that we have for doing well by our kids and that is strengthening the bond of those children to their families Mr Speaker we often talk about the crisises that we see in in despair among young people and negative behaviors among young people whether it's involvement in drugs whether it's suicidal ideation we hear about these stories Mr Speaker what we need to do to get our kids back on a better path is reestablish the essential relationship in a child's life and that is with the parent and if a parent's not available a close family member Mr Speaker there are many things that a loving parent can do to help raise a healthy and happy and productive and positive child but we can't undermine that parent par confidence in what they can know this initiative with precision and a light touch allows parents to know that the first thing is that they know what their child is experiencing please vote Yes Mr Speaker and defend parents and children all around Washington thank you