Sponsor Statement for HB 391

House Bill HB 391 casts into statute parental responsibilities and rights.

Responsibilities:

• To provide food, clothing, shelter, education, and medical care for a child.
• To protect, train and discipline a minor.
• To determine where a minor shall live.
• To make significant legal and financial decisions.
• The right of visitation.
• The right to consent to the minor’s: marriage, military enlistment, adoption, non-emergency medical treatment.
• The right to obtain legal representation.

The bill recognizes that parents have the right to determine the custody of their children. The bill also provides that a police officer may take into protective custody a runaway minor who has refused available care.