‘State-Sanctioned Kidnapping’: California Dems Approve Plan To Let Kids Enroll in Group Homes Without Parental Consent

California Democrats have passed a controversial bill that could enable the “state-sanctioned kidnapping” of children. The bill would allow children as young as 12 years old to check into group homes, even without parental consent. Critics raise concerns that the state will take custody of children, especially those whose parents do not support their efforts to change genders. The Assembly Judiciary Committee approved the bill, which enables mental health professionals to commit children to residential facilities upon request, even if the child had not claimed abuse or neglect. Counselors are instructed to determine whether or not to inform a patient’s parents “after consulting with the minor.” The bill’s authors claimed that it would tackle the rise in suicide among “youth, particularly Black and Latinx youth.”

The law was criticized for exposing its real motive: helping lawmakers and mental health professionals take custody of children, especially those whose parents do not support their efforts to change genders. San Francisco lawyer Erin Friday condemned the bill, describing it as “state-sanctioned kidnapping.” Friday, an advocate for parents of children who think they are transgender, said that the law would authorize school counselors to send children straight to a group home if the children say their parents do not want them to identify with their preferred gender.

Democratic blue states have been passing laws that exclude parents from discussions about their children’s health and well-being. Recently, Oregon Democrats advanced a sweeping bill allowing kids as young as 15 to undergo sex changes without their parents’ involvement. Minnesota Democrats also plan to make their state a “haven” for self-identified transgender youth.

The Californian law aims to give the 40% of California children on Medicaid access to the same care as those covered by private insurance. In 2010, a law enabled privately insured minors as young as 12 to seek therapy and psychiatric help without their parents’ involvement, but did not allow them to enter group homes. Children on Medicaid could also seek therapy without consent, but only if they claim abuse or danger at home.

California progressives claim that allowing children to access therapy without parental consent will reduce LGBT youth suicide. However, opponents argue that since children have been allowed to seek psychiatric care on their own, teen suicides have risen statewide.

The bill will undergo a vote at the Assembly floor before it advances to the Senate.