Unalienable Redemption

Constitutional Research & Analysis by Golden Spiral Ministries

🛡️ Comprehensive Parental Rights Ranking

All 50 States + DC Ranked Across 8 Categories of Parental Rights

From most egregious violations to strongest protections. Includes vaccines, education, medical decisions, custody, religious upbringing, discipline, gender transitions, and information access rights.

Constitutional Foundation for Parental Rights

Supreme Court Precedents

  • Meyer v. Nebraska (1923): Parents have fundamental right to direct upbringing and education of children
  • Pierce v. Society of Sisters (1925): Parents' right to choose private/religious education
  • Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972): Parents' right to withdraw children from school for religious reasons
  • Troxel v. Granville (2000): Parents have fundamental right to make decisions concerning care, custody, and control
  • Parham v. J.R. (1979): Parents retain plenary authority over medical decisions for minor children

8 Categories Analyzed

Parental Rights Statutes
Vaccine Mandates
Education Rights
Medical Decisions
Custody & CPS
Religious Upbringing
Discipline Rights
Information Access
#1
Oklahoma
Tier 5: STRONG PROTECTIONS
96/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
100/100
Vaccine Rights
95/100
Education Rights
95/100
Medical Decisions
95/100
Custody & CPS
90/100
Religious Rights
95/100
Discipline Rights
95/100
Info Access
90/100

Key Issues:

  • Parental rights statute (2014)
  • Minimal homeschool regulation
  • Religious + personal vaccine exemptions
#1
Texas
Tier 5: STRONG PROTECTIONS
96/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
100/100
Vaccine Rights
95/100
Education Rights
100/100
Medical Decisions
95/100
Custody & CPS
85/100
Religious Rights
95/100
Discipline Rights
95/100
Info Access
90/100

Key Issues:

  • Parental rights statute (1999)
  • NO homeschool notification required
  • Religious + personal vaccine exemptions
#2
Utah
Tier 5: STRONG PROTECTIONS
95/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
100/100
Vaccine Rights
95/100
Education Rights
95/100
Medical Decisions
95/100
Custody & CPS
90/100
Religious Rights
95/100
Discipline Rights
90/100
Info Access
90/100

Key Issues:

  • Parental rights statute (2015)
  • Religious + personal vaccine exemptions
  • Best state for fathers' rights
#3
Idaho
Tier 5: STRONG PROTECTIONS
93/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
100/100
Vaccine Rights
95/100
Education Rights
95/100
Medical Decisions
95/100
Custody & CPS
85/100
Religious Rights
90/100
Discipline Rights
90/100
Info Access
85/100

Key Issues:

  • Parental rights statute (2015)
  • Minimal regulation
#4
Arizona
Tier 5: STRONG PROTECTIONS
91/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
100/100
Vaccine Rights
95/100
Education Rights
95/100
Medical Decisions
90/100
Custody & CPS
90/100
Religious Rights
90/100
Discipline Rights
85/100
Info Access
85/100

Key Issues:

  • Parental rights statute (2015)
  • Explicit strict scrutiny requirement
  • Best state for fathers' rights
#5
Virginia
Tier 5: STRONG PROTECTIONS
89/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
100/100
Vaccine Rights
90/100
Education Rights
90/100
Medical Decisions
90/100
Custody & CPS
85/100
Religious Rights
85/100
Discipline Rights
85/100
Info Access
85/100

Key Issues:

  • Parental rights statute (2013)
#6
Nevada
Tier 5: STRONG PROTECTIONS
88/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
100/100
Vaccine Rights
90/100
Education Rights
90/100
Medical Decisions
90/100
Custody & CPS
80/100
Religious Rights
85/100
Discipline Rights
85/100
Info Access
85/100

Key Issues:

  • Parental rights statute (2013)
#7
Tennessee
Tier 5: STRONG PROTECTIONS
87/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
100/100
Vaccine Rights
90/100
Education Rights
90/100
Medical Decisions
85/100
Custody & CPS
80/100
Religious Rights
85/100
Discipline Rights
85/100
Info Access
85/100

Key Issues:

  • Parental rights statute (2024)
  • Most recent statute
#8
Alabama
Tier 5: STRONG PROTECTIONS
86/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
100/100
Vaccine Rights
90/100
Education Rights
90/100
Medical Decisions
85/100
Custody & CPS
80/100
Religious Rights
85/100
Discipline Rights
85/100
Info Access
80/100

Key Issues:

  • Parental rights statute (2023)
#9
Wyoming
Tier 5: STRONG PROTECTIONS
85/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
100/100
Vaccine Rights
90/100
Education Rights
90/100
Medical Decisions
85/100
Custody & CPS
80/100
Religious Rights
85/100
Discipline Rights
85/100
Info Access
80/100

Key Issues:

  • Parental rights statute (2017)
#10
Florida
Tier 5: STRONG PROTECTIONS
83/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
100/100
Vaccine Rights
85/100
Education Rights
85/100
Medical Decisions
85/100
Custody & CPS
80/100
Religious Rights
85/100
Discipline Rights
80/100
Info Access
80/100

Key Issues:

  • Parental rights statute (2021)
  • Parental Rights in Education Act
#11
Montana
Tier 5: STRONG PROTECTIONS
82/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
100/100
Vaccine Rights
85/100
Education Rights
85/100
Medical Decisions
85/100
Custody & CPS
75/100
Religious Rights
80/100
Discipline Rights
80/100
Info Access
80/100

Key Issues:

  • Parental rights statute (2021)
#12
Georgia
Tier 5: STRONG PROTECTIONS
80/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
75/100
Vaccine Rights
85/100
Education Rights
85/100
Medical Decisions
85/100
Custody & CPS
75/100
Religious Rights
80/100
Discipline Rights
80/100
Info Access
75/100

Key Issues:

  • Parental rights statute (2022)
  • Rebuttable presumption for parental custody
#13
North Dakota
Tier 5: STRONG PROTECTIONS
78/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
100/100
Vaccine Rights
85/100
Education Rights
20/100
Medical Decisions
85/100
Custody & CPS
75/100
Religious Rights
80/100
Discipline Rights
80/100
Info Access
75/100

Key Issues:

  • Parental rights statute (2023)
  • WORST homeschool laws (paradox)
#14
Iowa
Tier 5: STRONG PROTECTIONS
78/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
100/100
Vaccine Rights
85/100
Education Rights
85/100
Medical Decisions
80/100
Custody & CPS
75/100
Religious Rights
75/100
Discipline Rights
75/100
Info Access
75/100

Key Issues:

  • Parental rights statute (2023)
#15
Kansas
Tier 5: STRONG PROTECTIONS
77/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
100/100
Vaccine Rights
85/100
Education Rights
85/100
Medical Decisions
80/100
Custody & CPS
70/100
Religious Rights
75/100
Discipline Rights
75/100
Info Access
75/100

Key Issues:

  • Parental rights statute (2013)
  • Religious freedom statute
#16
Pennsylvania
Tier 4: GOOD PROTECTIONS
74/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
50/100
Vaccine Rights
85/100
Education Rights
75/100
Medical Decisions
80/100
Custody & CPS
70/100
Religious Rights
75/100
Discipline Rights
75/100
Info Access
75/100

Key Issues:

  • Religious + personal vaccine exemptions
#17
Colorado
Tier 4: GOOD PROTECTIONS
73/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
75/100
Vaccine Rights
85/100
Education Rights
85/100
Medical Decisions
70/100
Custody & CPS
70/100
Religious Rights
75/100
Discipline Rights
70/100
Info Access
70/100

Key Issues:

  • Parental rights statute (2003)
  • Unclear strict scrutiny
#18
North Carolina
Tier 4: GOOD PROTECTIONS
72/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
75/100
Vaccine Rights
80/100
Education Rights
85/100
Medical Decisions
75/100
Custody & CPS
70/100
Religious Rights
75/100
Discipline Rights
70/100
Info Access
70/100

Key Issues:

  • Parental rights statute (2023)
  • Unclear strict scrutiny
#19
Michigan
Tier 4: GOOD PROTECTIONS
70/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
100/100
Vaccine Rights
85/100
Education Rights
90/100
Medical Decisions
70/100
Custody & CPS
65/100
Religious Rights
70/100
Discipline Rights
65/100
Info Access
70/100

Key Issues:

  • Parental rights statute (1996)
#20
Alaska
Tier 4: GOOD PROTECTIONS
68/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
50/100
Vaccine Rights
85/100
Education Rights
95/100
Medical Decisions
75/100
Custody & CPS
65/100
Religious Rights
70/100
Discipline Rights
70/100
Info Access
70/100

Key Issues:

  • Minimal homeschool regulation
#21
Wisconsin
Tier 4: GOOD PROTECTIONS
66/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
50/100
Vaccine Rights
95/100
Education Rights
75/100
Medical Decisions
70/100
Custody & CPS
65/100
Religious Rights
75/100
Discipline Rights
65/100
Info Access
70/100

Key Issues:

  • Wisconsin v. Yoder precedent
  • Religious + personal vaccine exemptions
#22
Arkansas
Tier 4: GOOD PROTECTIONS
65/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
50/100
Vaccine Rights
80/100
Education Rights
85/100
Medical Decisions
70/100
Custody & CPS
60/100
Religious Rights
70/100
Discipline Rights
70/100
Info Access
65/100

Key Issues:

  • Religious + personal vaccine exemptions
#23
South Carolina
Tier 4: GOOD PROTECTIONS
64/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
50/100
Vaccine Rights
75/100
Education Rights
80/100
Medical Decisions
70/100
Custody & CPS
60/100
Religious Rights
70/100
Discipline Rights
70/100
Info Access
65/100

Key Issues:

  • Conservative protections
#24
Mississippi
Tier 4: GOOD PROTECTIONS
63/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
50/100
Vaccine Rights
75/100
Education Rights
80/100
Medical Decisions
70/100
Custody & CPS
60/100
Religious Rights
70/100
Discipline Rights
70/100
Info Access
65/100

Key Issues:

  • Strong religious freedom
#25
New Hampshire
Tier 4: GOOD PROTECTIONS
62/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
50/100
Vaccine Rights
75/100
Education Rights
80/100
Medical Decisions
65/100
Custody & CPS
60/100
Religious Rights
70/100
Discipline Rights
65/100
Info Access
65/100

Key Issues:

  • Live Free or Die state
#26
Nebraska
Tier 3: MODERATE RESTRICTIONS
60/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
25/100
Vaccine Rights
70/100
Education Rights
80/100
Medical Decisions
65/100
Custody & CPS
60/100
Religious Rights
65/100
Discipline Rights
65/100
Info Access
60/100

Key Issues:

  • Unclear strict scrutiny
#27
Minnesota
Tier 3: MODERATE RESTRICTIONS
59/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
50/100
Vaccine Rights
70/100
Education Rights
75/100
Medical Decisions
60/100
Custody & CPS
70/100
Religious Rights
65/100
Discipline Rights
60/100
Info Access
60/100

Key Issues:

  • Good fathers' rights
#28
Illinois
Tier 3: MODERATE RESTRICTIONS
58/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
50/100
Vaccine Rights
70/100
Education Rights
90/100
Medical Decisions
60/100
Custody & CPS
55/100
Religious Rights
65/100
Discipline Rights
60/100
Info Access
60/100

Key Issues:

  • Minimal homeschool regulation
#29
Maryland
Tier 3: MODERATE RESTRICTIONS
57/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
50/100
Vaccine Rights
70/100
Education Rights
75/100
Medical Decisions
60/100
Custody & CPS
55/100
Religious Rights
65/100
Discipline Rights
60/100
Info Access
60/100

Key Issues:

  • 2025 Supreme Court ruling: parents can opt out of LGBTQ curriculum
#30
Hawaii
Tier 3: MODERATE RESTRICTIONS
56/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
50/100
Vaccine Rights
70/100
Education Rights
70/100
Medical Decisions
55/100
Custody & CPS
50/100
Religious Rights
60/100
Discipline Rights
60/100
Info Access
60/100

Key Issues:

  • Island isolation challenges
#31
South Dakota
Tier 3: MODERATE RESTRICTIONS
55/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
0/100
Vaccine Rights
70/100
Education Rights
80/100
Medical Decisions
60/100
Custody & CPS
55/100
Religious Rights
65/100
Discipline Rights
65/100
Info Access
60/100

Key Issues:

  • NO strict scrutiny protection
#32
New Mexico
Tier 3: MODERATE RESTRICTIONS
54/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
0/100
Vaccine Rights
70/100
Education Rights
75/100
Medical Decisions
55/100
Custody & CPS
50/100
Religious Rights
60/100
Discipline Rights
60/100
Info Access
60/100

Key Issues:

  • NO strict scrutiny protection
#33
Missouri
Tier 3: MODERATE RESTRICTIONS
54/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
0/100
Vaccine Rights
70/100
Education Rights
90/100
Medical Decisions
60/100
Custody & CPS
50/100
Religious Rights
60/100
Discipline Rights
65/100
Info Access
60/100

Key Issues:

  • NO strict scrutiny protection
  • Minimal homeschool regulation
#34
Louisiana
Tier 3: MODERATE RESTRICTIONS
53/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
25/100
Vaccine Rights
70/100
Education Rights
75/100
Medical Decisions
55/100
Custody & CPS
50/100
Religious Rights
65/100
Discipline Rights
60/100
Info Access
60/100

Key Issues:

  • NO strict scrutiny protection
  • Children's Code supports parental rights
#35
Kentucky
Tier 3: MODERATE RESTRICTIONS
52/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
0/100
Vaccine Rights
70/100
Education Rights
75/100
Medical Decisions
55/100
Custody & CPS
65/100
Religious Rights
60/100
Discipline Rights
60/100
Info Access
60/100

Key Issues:

  • NO strict scrutiny protection
  • Best state for fathers' rights
#36
Indiana
Tier 3: MODERATE RESTRICTIONS
52/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
0/100
Vaccine Rights
70/100
Education Rights
90/100
Medical Decisions
55/100
Custody & CPS
50/100
Religious Rights
60/100
Discipline Rights
60/100
Info Access
60/100

Key Issues:

  • NO strict scrutiny protection
  • Minimal homeschool regulation
#37
Ohio
Tier 3: MODERATE RESTRICTIONS
50/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
50/100
Vaccine Rights
65/100
Education Rights
45/100
Medical Decisions
50/100
Custody & CPS
50/100
Religious Rights
60/100
Discipline Rights
55/100
Info Access
60/100

Key Issues:

  • Moderate homeschool oversight
#38
Pennsylvania
Tier 3: MODERATE RESTRICTIONS
48/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
50/100
Vaccine Rights
65/100
Education Rights
40/100
Medical Decisions
50/100
Custody & CPS
50/100
Religious Rights
60/100
Discipline Rights
55/100
Info Access
60/100

Key Issues:

  • Strict homeschool laws
  • Annual evaluations required
#39
Vermont
Tier 2: SEVERE VIOLATIONS
40/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
25/100
Vaccine Rights
60/100
Education Rights
35/100
Medical Decisions
45/100
Custody & CPS
50/100
Religious Rights
50/100
Discipline Rights
50/100
Info Access
55/100

Key Issues:

  • Strict homeschool laws
  • Unclear strict scrutiny
#40
Massachusetts
Tier 2: SEVERE VIOLATIONS
38/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
50/100
Vaccine Rights
55/100
Education Rights
30/100
Medical Decisions
45/100
Custody & CPS
45/100
Religious Rights
50/100
Discipline Rights
45/100
Info Access
55/100

Key Issues:

  • Very strict homeschool laws
  • Curriculum approval required
#41
Rhode Island
Tier 2: SEVERE VIOLATIONS
37/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
25/100
Vaccine Rights
55/100
Education Rights
25/100
Medical Decisions
45/100
Custody & CPS
45/100
Religious Rights
50/100
Discipline Rights
45/100
Info Access
55/100

Key Issues:

  • Strictest homeschool laws
  • Unclear strict scrutiny
#42
Oregon
Tier 2: SEVERE VIOLATIONS
36/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
0/100
Vaccine Rights
75/100
Education Rights
65/100
Medical Decisions
30/100
Custody & CPS
45/100
Religious Rights
50/100
Discipline Rights
45/100
Info Access
50/100

Key Issues:

  • NO strict scrutiny protection
  • West Coast Health Alliance
  • Gender transition access
#43
Delaware
Tier 2: SEVERE VIOLATIONS
33/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
0/100
Vaccine Rights
50/100
Education Rights
60/100
Medical Decisions
40/100
Custody & CPS
40/100
Religious Rights
45/100
Discipline Rights
30/100
Info Access
50/100

Key Issues:

  • NO strict scrutiny protection
  • Attempted to ban spanking
#44
District of Columbia
Tier 2: SEVERE VIOLATIONS
28/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
0/100
Vaccine Rights
20/100
Education Rights
50/100
Medical Decisions
25/100
Custody & CPS
35/100
Religious Rights
40/100
Discipline Rights
35/100
Info Access
40/100

Key Issues:

  • Minors age 11+ can consent to vaccines without parental knowledge
  • No parental rights statute
#45
West Virginia
Tier 2: SEVERE VIOLATIONS
38/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
100/100
Vaccine Rights
35/100
Education Rights
65/100
Medical Decisions
50/100
Custody & CPS
45/100
Religious Rights
55/100
Discipline Rights
50/100
Info Access
55/100

Key Issues:

  • No vaccine exemptions
  • OLDEST parental rights statute (pre-1973)
  • Paradox: strong statute, weak vaccine rights
#46
Connecticut
Tier 2: SEVERE VIOLATIONS
35/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
50/100
Vaccine Rights
30/100
Education Rights
85/100
Medical Decisions
45/100
Custody & CPS
40/100
Religious Rights
45/100
Discipline Rights
40/100
Info Access
50/100

Key Issues:

  • No vaccine exemptions
  • Minimal homeschool regulation (paradox)
#47
Maine
Tier 2: SEVERE VIOLATIONS
32/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
50/100
Vaccine Rights
30/100
Education Rights
60/100
Medical Decisions
40/100
Custody & CPS
45/100
Religious Rights
50/100
Discipline Rights
45/100
Info Access
55/100

Key Issues:

  • No vaccine exemptions
  • Strict scrutiny in courts
#48
New Jersey
Tier 1: CRITICAL VIOLATIONS
26/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
50/100
Vaccine Rights
15/100
Education Rights
85/100
Medical Decisions
35/100
Custody & CPS
40/100
Religious Rights
45/100
Discipline Rights
35/100
Info Access
50/100

Key Issues:

  • S4894/S4726 bills pending
  • NJDOH/DOBI administrative coordination
  • No parental rights statute
  • December 2025 memos
#49
New York
Tier 1: CRITICAL VIOLATIONS
22/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
0/100
Vaccine Rights
25/100
Education Rights
20/100
Medical Decisions
30/100
Custody & CPS
35/100
Religious Rights
40/100
Discipline Rights
40/100
Info Access
45/100

Key Issues:

  • No vaccine exemptions
  • Strictest homeschool laws in nation
  • No parental rights statute
  • NO strict scrutiny protection
  • Emergency powers abuse
#50
California
Tier 1: CRITICAL VIOLATIONS
18/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
0/100
Vaccine Rights
10/100
Education Rights
70/100
Medical Decisions
10/100
Custody & CPS
30/100
Religious Rights
30/100
Discipline Rights
30/100
Info Access
40/100

Key Issues:

  • No vaccine exemptions
  • Gender sanctuary state
  • No parental rights statute
  • NO strict scrutiny protection
  • AB 144 breaks from federal CDC
#51
Washington
Tier 1: CRITICAL VIOLATIONS
12/100
Composite Score
Statute & Courts
0/100
Vaccine Rights
0/100
Education Rights
60/100
Medical Decisions
20/100
Custody & CPS
40/100
Religious Rights
50/100
Discipline Rights
40/100
Info Access
50/100

Key Issues:

  • DOH Standing Order allows vaccination without parental consent
  • Mature Minor Doctrine
  • No parental rights statute
  • Unclear strict scrutiny protection
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