Speaking on the Ari Hoffman Show of Talk Radio 570 KVI, founder Brian Heywood said the new law “a direct assault on parents and a damnation of Governor Ferguson’s claim to be a moderate for Washingtonians.”
“We will do everything in our power to reverse this gutting of the Parental Rights Bill,” Heywood said, noting the group would start organizing right away to change the law.
Civil rights organizations, including the ACLU, which claimed that its language could negatively impact LGBTQ+ and other vulnerable young people, challenged Initiative 2081 before it entered into force on June 6.
Although a state judge dismissed the complaint, advocacy groups have continued to object.
Defending HB 1296, Democratic officials including Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen (D-Seattle) and House Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma) claimed most of Initiative 2081’s elements already reflected state policy.
“Young women, if they’re old enough to get pregnant, they’re old enough to make their own decisions about what happens with their bodies & parents do not have the right to change that or make a different decision or be notified in advance.”
