So-called “Grandparents’ Rights” laws are challenging the constitutional rights of parents in states across the U.S. These laws prevent fit parents from raising their children in a manner that’s best for their safety and well-being without interference from the government.

We, as caring parents of our children, should be allowed to parent as we see fit. That includes determining who can and cannot visit with our children. For the well-being of our children, parents need the freedom to make tough decisions concerning their relationships with people who may harm them, physically or psychologically.

Under current law in many states, these parental decisions are put in the hands of the court, costing parents undue time and money and causing unnecessary stress on both the parents and children. Not only that, but this is a direct violation of our rights as parents as defined by the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America.

This is not about people who are unfit to parent. We have laws to prevent and address that—including those enforced by Child Protective Services—and we fully support them. But Grandparents’ Rights laws remove parents’ rights to decide against visitation by people who may harm their children, just because those people are the grandparents. And that harms children.

We, the fit parents of the U.S., want to strike down unconstitutional Grandparents’ Rights laws. Don’t let the name deceive you—Grandparents’ Rights laws are bad for children.

Thank you.