Family Rights and Child Abuse News

The Apple-Google contact tracing system won't work. It still deserves praise.

by Jennifer Daskal, Matt Perault

This article is part of Privacy in the Pandemic, a Future Tense series. -- Big Tech's contact tracing initiative complicates the narrative of European governments protecting citizens against Silicon Valley's privacy intrusions.

In debates over digital privacy, American tech companies are often branded as the villains, with European policymakers cast in the role of savior. Big Tech is out to steal your privacy, but European governments are stepping in to protect it. Or so the narrative goes. But the new exposure notification system released by Google and Apple on Wednesday has turned these roles on their head, albeit in ways that at least some public health authorities say will make their job more difficult. It stands as a clear warning against type casting in this debate.

slate.com

May 22, 2020

Iowa Bill Would Mandate Government Intrusion Into Homeschool Households

A proposed Iowa bill would require that homeschool families allow school and government officials into their homes to conduct health and wellness checks on their children.

Introduced by Democrat State Representative Mary Mascher, H.F. 272 would mandate that homeschoolers report in regularly to local public school district officials, or face visits from social-service agents and other government officials. Reads the text of the bill: "The board of directors of a school district shall conduct quarterly home visits to check on the health and safety of children located within the district who are receiving independent private instruction or private instruction."

thenewamerican.com

March 27, 2019

Earthing and Grounding: Legit or Hype? (How to & When Not To)

Earthing (also called grounding) can be a controversial topic. Many people report amazing benefits, while critics point out the lack of solid scientific studies supporting this practice. Let's delve into the evidence:

In short, earthing or grounding is putting the body in direct and uninterrupted contact with the earth. This means that skin needs to touch soil, sand, water, or a conductive surface that is in contact with the earth. From a scientific perspective, the idea is that the earth has a mild negative charge to it. Over time, especially in modern life, our bodies build up a positive charge. Direct contact with the earth can even out this positive charge and return the body to a neutral state.

wellnessmama.com

May 26, 2018

Nassar victims help unveil sweeping child abuse legislation

LANSING -- Victims of imprisoned former sports doctor Larry Nassar helped unveil what they described Monday as a sweeping rewrite of Michigan laws related to childhood sexual abuse, saying the changes would ease the ability to stop abuse...

The legislation is expected to win quick approval Tuesday from a Senate committee. The full Senate could vote as early as next week before the bills go to the House. Denhollandar called on lawmakers to pass the measures before their summer break.

myajc.com

March 7, 2018

Why Does California Want Fire Inspections for Homeschools?

by Home School Legal Defense Association

Assembly Bill 2756 mandates warrantless entry by officials into your home-this is a clear violation of your constitutional rights.

The authors of Assembly Bill 2756 assert that the proposed law is intended to protect children by mandating annual fire inspections of all institutions that file an annual private school affidavit. This would include private schools with fewer than six students-which are currently exempt from fire code inspections. Why are they exempt? Because these are private homes where children are homeschooled, and private homes should not be subject to fire inspections. AB 2756 removes this exemption, in an attempt to give raw power to state officials to enter private homes of homeschoolers to "look around" to make sure the children are safe from abuse and neglect. In reality, this bill is not about fire inspections; it is a misguided reaction to the Turpin child abuse case in Perris, California.

hslda.org

February 28, 2018