State Rep. Kenneth Paschal is seeking to preserve and protect parental rights.

And the Pelham Republican has pre-filed a bill that is meant to do just that.

His new legislation will ensure that the state of Alabama will recognize parental rights as “fundamental rights”, rather than “ordinary rights,” he said.

“’Ordinary rights’ allow parents’ decisions to be overridden by the state government more easily,” Paschal said. “’Fundamental rights’ cannot be taken away unless there is a ‘compelling reason’ demonstrated.”

Paschal said the bill preserves rights already afforded to parents.

“As a God-fearing man and father, I stand in unity with parents across Alabama who believe that it is our fundamental right to raise our children without fear of unwarranted intrusion and interference,” he said. “Rather than creating additional rights, this bill simply preserves the rights already afforded to parents, who will be able to rest easy knowing that the government is trying to erode their decision-making power in raising their children.”

Shaun Alexander, an MVP in the NFL and a former running back for the Crimson Tide, is vice president of the Parental Rights Foundation. he said the legislation is desperately needed.

“I strongly support Rep. Paschal’s legislation which would enshrine in Alabama’s state code that the rights of parents are fundamental. While courts have long recognized these rights, it is time for the Alabama legislature to fully protect them by statute,” Alexander said. “We must protect the family and the fundamental right to parent at the highest degree in the law.

“As a husband and father, I’m proud and honored to support this bill and urge that it be passed by the Alabama Legislature and signed into law.”

Austen Shipley is a staff writer at Yellowhammer News.