Parental rights; authorize fundamental to direct upbringing of children.

HB 1081 declares that parents have a fundamental right to direct their children's upbringing, education, care, and control. It prohibits Mississippi state agencies and local governments from infringing on this right unless a narrowly tailored law serves a compelling state interest using the least restrictive means. The bill would have applied to all parents and state entities like schools or child welfare agencies, limiting their ability to intervene in family decisions. However, the bill "died in committee" on March 4, 2025, and did not become law, so these provisions never took effect. (Note: The bill was pending but not enacted as of the provided status.)