Written for Bacon’s Rebellion by James C. Sherlock

Current Virginia law and Terry McAuliffe cannot coexist.

“A parent has a fundamental right to make decisions concerning the upbringing, education, and care of the parent’s child.”

Code of Virginia § 1-240.1. Rights of parents.

“I don’t think parents should be telling schools what they should teach.”

Terry McAuliffe, Sept 28, 2021

Let’s walk that forward. Progressives all over Virginia and the nation were horrified. They consider McAuliffe’s words to be dogma. But they wish he hadn’t exposed it so publicly. 

During an election bid.

So, now that the cat’s out of the bag, let’s experiment with changes to  § 1-240.1. Rights of parents and see what it takes to make it comport with progressive thinking.

An updated, progressive Code of Virginia § 1-240.1

“A parent has a fundamental right to make decisions concerning the upbringing, education, and care of the parent’s child.”

That would help McAuliffe with the education thing but doesn’t get it done.   

What about the new DOE regulation that requires schools not to notify parents if 6 year-old Bobby comes to school one day and confides that he would rather be LaVerne?

“There are no regulations requiring school staff to notify a parent or guardian of a student’s request to affirm their gender identity, and school staff should work with students to help them share the information with their family when they are ready to do so.”

Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools, Virginia Department of Education.

So, let’s try again.

“A parent has a fundamental right to make decisions concerning the upbringing, education, and care of the parent’s child.”

Still doesn’t work.  

Virginia moved the regulation of child care facilities to the VDOE as of July 1. Progressives organized as schools of public health at major universities seek a very long list of regulations government the licensing of child care centers with which Virginia does not yet comply.  

Take a look at the list. Not a lot of room for parents to have an opinion.

So one more try on that darn law.

“A parent has a fundamental right to make decisions.” concerning the upbringing, education, and care of the parent’s child.”

That should do it.  

For now.