(RightWing.org) – New York Democrats enjoy a trifecta, meaning the party controls the governorship and both legislative chambers. As a result, fundamental civil liberties like gun rights routinely find themselves under fire from radical leftists. Several experts recently started discussing their fear that parental rights are now under attack in the Empire State.
On February 26, PJ Media published a disturbing report detailing mounting concerns about Assembly Bill A6761 and its companion measure, Senate Bill S8352. Both bills claim to allow “certain” underage (minor) children to consent to “certain medical, dental, health, and hospital services.” The measure also provides insurance coverage at taxpayer expense for those offerings. If the measure passes into law, it will amend several New York laws regarding public health, mental hygiene, social services, and insurance.
Parental rights experts have sounded the alarm bells about the vague language used in the measure. For example, Ed Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies senior legal fellow Sarah P. Perry recently told The Daily Caller that the language used by lawmakers in the bill was designed to “evade parental notification and … involvement” in instances where parents “aren’t supportive of the junk science” behind some treatment modalities.
PJ Media elaborated on Perry’s concerns. The media outlet warned that several experts believe the measure could pave the way for minors to provide consent for radical procedures like those involving “sex change” and other gender-affirming care.
The bill’s sponsor, Assemblywoman Karines Reyes (D-District 87), pushed back against those concerns. Reyes claims she introduced the bill to provide a mechanism for homeless children to receive emergency medical care. However, a quick review of the measure’s text doesn’t draw that distinction. As written, it applies across the board to all minors and strips the rights of parents to participate in their treatment.
On the plus side, Reyes first introduced the bill in early May of 2023 and reintroduced it on January 3. The measure appears to have stalled in the chamber’s Standing Committee on Health in both instances.
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