05/03/2026
🚨 SB124: Child Welfare Amendments by Senator Escamilla needs support! This bill died on the house floor yesterday as the parents’ rights groups spread misinformation about this bill increasing the amount of child removals. Read on for the facts about this bill does and why it will save lives. If I t gets enough support today, it could be revived. Sample language and link to the house emails in the comments.
This bill allows CPS and law enforcement to get a warrant to confirm the safety of a child if there is a legitimate concern and the parents are refusing contact with CPS. This was created in response to the Gavin Peterson and Ruby Franke cases.
It is NOT a "Removal" Bill: The "Child Safety Warrant" created by this bill does not grant the authority to remove a child from their home.
High Bar for Evidence: These warrants cannot be issued on a whim or on an opinion. They require a "credible threat" supported by specific and articulated facts presented to a judge and “diligent efforts” have been made to reach out to the parents to ensure safety and/or welfare.
A Least-Intrusive Option: Currently, if authorities fear a child is in danger but are denied entry, their only real option is to seek a full protective custody warrant to remove the child. S.B. 124 provides a much less intrusive alternative: it allows a welfare check without the trauma of removal (lines 721-723).
Protects Cooperative Families: This bill has no impact on parents who cooperate with DCFS (lines 714-716). It is specifically designed for high-risk situations where a child is being intentionally shielded from view despite credible reports of harm.
Upholds Parental Rights: The bill explicitly protects a parent's right to make informed medical and religious decisions, ensuring that the state only intervenes in cases of genuine abuse or neglect (lines 318-322).
PLEASE EMAIL THE HOUSE TODAY!
