Last night when the clock struck midnight, time was out. The fun was over. 
The Governor had to sign or veto bills, or without any action on his part they automatically became law. Unfortunately at midnight what he left behind was no glass slipper, but rather a trail of terrible bills that are now law.
Several of the bills we were watching were signed into law. Many of these bills are a direct assault on parental rights. The majority of the legislature and the Governor seem to think that without their help you are not capable of properly parenting your child. We do not agree. We know that aside from terrible and extreme circumstances, parents know what is best for their children, and do not need the government stepping in.
Bills that the Governor signed...
SB 1172 was also signed by the Governor. This now limits counselors on how they are legally allowed to counsel minors struggling with sexuality. Senator Lieu doesn't hide that he is attempting to take away a parent's rights, "The attack on parental rights is exactly the whole point of the bill because we don't want to let parents harm their children," Senator Ted Lieu told the Orange County Registrar.
AB 1856 also made it's way across the desk as well. This now requires foster parents to be trained in cultural competency and sensitivity related to LGBT lifestyles. This bill was just another way for legislators to force their radical agenda on society.
AB 2109 seeks to take away a parent's right to opt out of vaccinations for their children. This bill requires parents who would like to opt of out vaccines to fill out a form that requires a healthcare official's signature to do so. This makes it more difficult for parents to opt out of vaccines for their children. Governor Brown signed this but also added a separate religious exemption form. In his signing message he said, "In this way, people whose religious beliefs preclude vaccinations will not be required to seek a health care practioner's signature." While this was not a victory, we at least secured a way to opt out. Though we believe parents should not have to have a religious reason for opting out, but be able to opt out for any reason.
SB 1140 provides that marriage is a personal and not a religious contract. It also states that clergy would not be required to perform marriages that are contrary to their faith. And upon such refusal their tax exempt status is not at risk.
The author, Senator Mark Leno, listed a statement regarding this bill that reads, "Some opponents of equal marriage rights for all couples have cited fears that churches and religious institutions will be forced to perform any and all marriages. This bill resolves any uncertainty by reaffirming that religious denominations and individual clergy members are free to determine which marriages they solemnize, and protects their tax exempt status for refusing to solemnize marriages contrary to their faith." But, because the voters passed Proposition 8, this bill is unnecessary. Marriage is defined as one man and one woman. So, clergy do not need reassuring that they don't have to perform these ceremonies that are contrary to their faith.
This was an attempt to move in the direction of recognizing same-sex unions, and thanks to Governor Brown, they may have taken a step that way.
Vetoed...
SB 1476 was vetoed by Governor Brown. This bill would have allowed a child 
to have more than two legal parents. The proponents of this bill were aiming to extend parental rights to a child's biological parent's same-sex partner. This was yet another attempt to break down the traditional definition of the family and normalize same-sex unions. We are grateful that the Governor vetoed this bill as it would have been very harmful to children.
CRI stood strong against these bills. We worked hard to equip you so you were able to advocate against them. If you are able to, please consider making a generous donation today to help us continue to stand! Thank you.
For Faith, Family, and Freedom,
Karen England
Executive Director
