Important measures are being debated in many states right now, including bills that affect life, marriage, families and religious freedom.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Legislative efforts often spread from one state to others, so it\u2019s important for Christians concerned about culture and policy issues to pay attention to what\u2019s happening around the country \u2014 as well as what legislators propose in their own state.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a quick rundown of bills in four different states \u2014 California, Idaho, Missouri and Pennsylvania \u2014 dealing with key issues.<\/p>\n
California Bills Would Protect Infants<\/p>\n
The California Legislature is currently considering two bills that would help protect infants. AB 1628<\/a>, The Keeping Infants from Danger (KID) Act would increase the amount of time in which a mother can surrender her child to a safe surrender site, from 72 hours to 30 days. Mothers who deliver their child to a safe site would not be charged with child abandonment.\u00a0<\/p>\n A second bill, AB 2073<\/a>, would authorize unmanned \u201cinfant safety devices,\u201d commonly known as \u201cinfant drop boxes<\/a>,\u201d to be used at safe surrender sites, like public or private hospitals. The sites would maintain the anonymity of the mother who surrenders the child, and an alarm would notify those monitoring the site when an infant is left in the drop box.\u00a0<\/p>\n The pro-life California Family Council<\/a> endorsed the laws in an article, saying<\/a>:\u00a0<\/p>\n Together, the proposals provide additional safeguards for vulnerable infants and greater flexibility for women facing overwhelming circumstances. In moments of crisis, the answer is not abandonment or abortion; safe alternatives exist. By building on California\u2019s current Safe Surrender framework, these bills aim to ensure that when a mother seeks help, she is met with safety, dignity, and compassionate care.<\/p>\n The family policy council, a Focus on the Family ally, provides an easy way for Californians to contact legislators and encourage them to support the measures<\/a>.<\/p>\n It\u2019s incredibly rare to see good legislation like this considered in the California Legislature.\u00a0<\/p>\n Idaho Legislation Would Guard Safety and Privacy in Public Restrooms<\/p>\n Idaho\u2019s House Bill 607<\/a>, Protecting Privacy and Safety in Public Buildings, requires sex-segregated restrooms and changing facilities in all government buildings and businesses that provide public accommodations. According to the Idaho Family Policy Center<\/a> (IFPC), the state already has safeguards in place for those using \u201cbathrooms and changing facilities in public schools, colleges, correctional facilities, and domestic violence shelters.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The Focus on the Family-affiliated organization says HB 607 would broaden<\/a> these safety measures to include government facilities, like state campground shower facilities, city swimming pool locker rooms and highway rest area bathrooms. It would also include restaurants, shops, gyms and retailers that provide facilities for the public.\u00a0<\/p>\n The bill defines terms like \u201csex,\u201d \u201cmale\u201d and \u201cfemale\u201d based on biology \u2014 a person\u2019s reproductive system; provides some exemptions for minor children and others who need assistance; and gives individuals the right to bring a civil suit against government entities and businesses that violate the law.\u00a0<\/p>\n HB 607 passed the House by a vote of 56-13-1 and has now been introduced in the Senate. In a recent email, IFPC Policy Director Joel Fischer stated, \u201cPlanned Parenthood is actively campaigning against our bill to protect the privacy and safety of girls in every public restroom<\/a>,\u201d and he urged concerned citizens to take action<\/a> to support the measure.\u00a0<\/p>\n Missouri Legislation Would Permanently Protect Girls and Women\u2019s Sports<\/p>\n The Missouri House of Representatives voted 98-37 to pass HB 1663<\/a>, a measure that permanently protects girls and women\u2019s sports from male athletes.<\/p>\n Missouri originally passed legislation in 2023<\/a> safeguarding girls sports in public and private schools from kindergarten through college, but that law is set to expire in 2027. HB 1663 would eliminate that deadline.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Missouri Catholic Conference testified in favor of the bill, saying<\/a>:\u00a0<\/p>\n Preventing biological males from competing against biological females protects the dignity of female athletes, respects justice and the common good, and ensures that our laws comport with a proper understanding of human nature; this measure would achieve this laudable purpose conclusively.<\/p>\n According to the Missouri Independent<\/a>,\u00a0<\/p>\n During Monday\u2019s debate, House Democrats said that the provision gave lawmakers time to consider research on transgender athletes and determine whether restrictions were fair. That learning process, they argued, is not complete.<\/p>\n But we already know what the research says: Boys and men, even when given puberty blockers and hormones, have distinct physical advantages in athletics. The bill now goes to the Senate for deliberation. In a post on X, the group Gays Against Groomers encouraged concerned citizens<\/a> to call their state Senators and ask them to pass the measure.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Missouri State House has passed a series of bills that permanently bans male students from invading female sports!<\/p>\n Students must play in in teams based on their real sex.<\/p>\n Missouri citizens need to call on their State Senators to pass this now!<\/p>\n SAVE GIRLS SPORTS! pic.twitter.com\/Npghr4pT85<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Gays Against Groomers (@againstgrmrs) February 27, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Pennsylvania\u2019s HB 300 Threatens Religious Freedom and Girls Sports\u00a0<\/p>\n HB 300, mislabeled The Fairness Act<\/a>, would add \u201csexual orientation,\u201d and \u201cgender identity or expression\u201d (SOGIE) to Pennsylvania\u2019s 70-year-old Human Relations Act, a law prohibiting discrimination in housing, employment, education and public accommodations.\u00a0<\/p>\n Adding SOGIE protections<\/a> to nondiscrimination laws wreaks<\/a> havoc on free speech<\/a>, religious freedom<\/a>, girls sports<\/a>, and safety<\/a> and privacy<\/a>. Such laws elevate sexual behaviors and identities to the same level as constitutionally protected freedoms.\u00a0<\/p>\n Pennsylvania Family, a faith-based family policy council, details some of the egregious consequences that arise when these laws are passed. The Focus on the Family-allied organization explains<\/a> that HB 300 would<\/a>:\u00a0<\/p>\n \u2022 Force doctors to prescribe puberty blockers and perform \u201csex-reassignment\u201d surgeries.<\/p>\n \u2022 Require women\u2019s shelters to accept biological males.<\/p>\n \u2022 Redefine freedom by forcing people to use someone\u2019s preferred pronouns.<\/p>\n \u2022 Allow biological males to play in women\u2019s only sports and enter female-only restrooms, showers, locker rooms and changing rooms.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u2022 Force hospitals and medical professionals to participate in mutilating and sterilizing children who reject their male or female bodies.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u2022 Threaten churches and religious schools and ministries with lawsuits for hiring based on their shared mission.<\/p>\n While Pennsylvania\u2019s Human Rights Commission has already redefined sex discrimination to include SOGIE in its regulations, The Fairness Act would codify these into law.\u00a0<\/p>\n Pennsylvania Family explains that the damaging legislation is being rushed through the legislature and urges Christians and conservatives to speak out against HB 300<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Related articles and resources:\u00a0<\/p>\n California Family<\/a>: Safe Surrender, Not Abandonment: California Lawmakers Advance Life-Affirming Reform<\/a><\/p>\n DOE Wants to Redefine \u2018Sex\u2019 in Title IX \u2013 Erasing Women, Threatening Privacy and Safety, and Endangering Schoolchildren<\/a><\/p>\n How to Get In Touch With Your State Policy Group<\/a><\/p>\n Idaho Family Policy Center<\/a>: Protecting Privacy and Safety in Public Buildings Act<\/a><\/p>\n Pennsylvania Family<\/a>: HB 300: The Alarming Truth Pennsylvania Must Face<\/a><\/p>\n Responding to \u201cSOGI\u201d Laws\u2014Tone and Truth<\/a><\/p>\n Transgenderism Trumping Parents\u2019 Rights<\/a><\/p>\n When Sexuality Trumps Religious Freedom \u2014 The Problem With \u201cSOGI\u201d Laws<\/a><\/p>\n