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House Bill 4606 proposes the Department of Human Services
provide at-home visits to new parents to offer guidance on
newborn care. While the program is designed to be optional and
carry no immediate penalties for families who decline, critics
fear it could become a gateway for government overreach.
David Smith, executive director of the Illinois Family
Institute, said that while he is glad the program is initially
voluntary, he worries it could eventually become mandatory for
some families.
“Taxpayers are paying for a group of new social workers to do
work that really should be done by families, churches, and
communities, not the state government,” Smith said.
More than 1,400 witness slips have been filed in opposition to
the legislation. State Rep. Laura Faver Dias, D-Grayslake, the
bill’s sponsor, has not responded to requests for comment from
The Center Square.
Smith also expressed concern over the potential influence of
social workers’ secular worldviews on parenting decisions, and
the possibility that noncompliance could trigger long-term
monitoring or even involvement from the Department of Children
and Family Services.
“For example, if you don’t get the HPV vaccine for your newborn
child, will that be a red flag and result in your child being
taken from you? You’re voluntarily bringing in government agents
who have an agenda,” he said.
Proponents of the bill argue that providing resources and
guidance to new parents is common sense, particularly during the
early months after childbirth. Smith responded that while
families need support, the government is not the right vehicle
for providing it.
“Yes, mothers need resources. Yes, that’s common sense.
Therefore, we don’t need the government. That’s the job of the
family, the church, and the local community,” he said.
Smith also questioned the program’s cost and practicality,
citing Ronald Reagan’s famous warning: “Hi, I’m from the
government, and I’m here to help.” He said expanding state
programs without sufficient funding or oversight could
ultimately undermine families rather than support them.
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