Wyoming2012Enacted

HJ0003

Wyoming Resolution Requesting a Parental Rights Amendment

Last scannedOct 18, 2026, 2:19 AM

In one sentence

This resolution asks the U.S. Congress to propose a constitutional amendment that protects parents' rights to direct their children's upbringing and education.

What it does

States that the right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children is a fundamental right protected by the U.S. Constitution.
Notes that a 2000 Supreme Court decision created confusion about the nature of parental rights.
States that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child would alter parents' fundamental rights if ratified.
Asks the U.S. Congress to propose a Parental Rights Amendment to the states for ratification.
Requires the Wyoming Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House, and Wyoming's congressional delegation.

Who it affects

The U.S. Congress, which is asked to propose the amendment.
The Wyoming Secretary of State, who must transmit copies of the resolution.
The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who receive the resolution.
Members of the Wyoming Congressional Delegation, who receive the resolution.

Limits and unknowns

This is a resolution from the Wyoming state legislature, not a federal law, so it does not directly change U.S. federal law.
The resolution asks Congress to act, but it does not force Congress to propose the amendment.
The source text does not specify a deadline for Congress to respond to the request.

Plain language

Terms to know

Parental Rights Amendment: A proposed change to the U.S. Constitution that would explicitly state that parents have the fundamental right to direct their children's upbringing and education.
Ratification: The process by which states officially approve a proposed constitutional amendment.
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child: An international treaty that has been proposed for ratification by the U.S. Senate and is cited in the resolution as potentially altering parental rights.

Official record

Sources

Source checked

Official bill page Introduced text Official digest Official summary Current bill text

Read the official summary

HJ0003 Bill No.: HJ0003 Drafter: LNS LSO No.: 12LSO-0132 Effective Date: March 13, 2012 Enrolled Act No.: HEJR0003 Chapter No.: N/A Prime Sponsor: Representative Botten Catch Title: Resolution-parents' rights. Subject: Resolution requesting Congress submit to the states a proposed amendment prohibiting the infringement of parents' rights. Summary/Major Elements: This resolution recognizes that the right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children is a fundamental right protected by the United States Constitution. Asserts that a United States Supreme Court decision has created confusion about the fundamental nature of parental rights. Observes that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which has been proposed for ratification by the United States Senate, would alter the fundamental right of parents to direct the upbringing of their children. Calls on Congress to propose a Parental Rights Amendment to the states for ratification.

Public statements

Why lawmakers voted

Last checked Aug 7, 5:41 PM

Leland G Christensen

S17

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker states they will vote for the resolution because failing to do so would undermine their ability to work with their teenage sons at home.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:00:17 Watch the statement

If a lawmaker is not listed, we couldn't find a published reason.

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

5 roll calls

S Passed 3rd Reading 21-6-3-0-02012-03-07 · Senate21 yes 6 no

Yes: 21
No: 6
Absent: 0
Excused: 3
Conflict: 0

S01 Recommended Do Pass 4-1-0-0-02012-03-02 · Senate4 yes 1 no

Yes: 4
No: 1
Absent: 0
Excused: 0
Conflict: 0

Yes 4

Bruce Burns Jr.S21 Drew A PerkinsS29 Larry HicksR · S11 Leland G ChristensenS17

No 1

Floyd EsquibelS08

H Passed 3rd Reading 51-8-1-0-02012-02-22 · House51 yes 8 no

Yes: 51
No: 8
Absent: 0
Excused: 1
Conflict: 0

H10 Recommended Do Pass 7-2-0-0-02012-02-16 · House7 yes 2 no

Yes: 7
No: 2
Absent: 0
Excused: 0
Conflict: 0

Yes 7

David R MillerH55 Elaine HarveyH26 Frank D PeasleyH03 Gerald GayH36 Keith M GingeryH23 Matthias E GreeneH45 Thomas F ReederH58

No 2

Bernadine CraftH17 Joseph M BarbutoH48

H Introduced and Referred to H10 47-13-0-0-02012-02-14 · House47 yes 13 no

Yes: 47
No: 13
Absent: 0
Excused: 0
Conflict: 0

No 13

Bernadine CraftH17 Catherine R ConnollyH13 Dv.James A RoscoeH22 James W ByrdH44 John L FreemanH60 John W PattonH29 Joseph M BarbutoH48 Mary A ThroneH11 Nicholas BStanley L BlakeH39 Steve HarshmanR · H37 W. Patrick P GogglesH33

Official activity

Bill history

2012-03-13Governor Signed HEJR0003Governor
2012-03-07S President Signed HEJR No. 0003Senate
2012-03-07H Speaker Signed HEJR No. 0003House
2012-03-07Assigned Number HEJR0003LSO
2012-03-07S Passed 3rd ReadingSenate
2012-03-06S Passed 2nd ReadingSenate
2012-03-05S Passed CoWSenate
2012-03-02S Placed on General FileSenate
2012-03-02S01 Recommended Do PassSenate
2012-02-27S Introduced and Referred to S01Senate
2012-02-22S Received for IntroductionSenate
2012-02-22H Passed 3rd ReadingHouse
2012-02-21H Passed 2nd ReadingHouse
2012-02-20H Passed CoWHouse
2012-02-16H Placed on General FileHouse
2012-02-16H10 Recommended Do PassHouse
2012-02-14H Introduced and Referred to H10House
2012-02-13H Received for IntroductionHouse
2012-01-30Bill Number AssignedLSO