Parents' Rights Bill Clears Colorado Senate

DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Senate gave final approval Thursday to a bill giving parents broad authority over their children's school curriculum and medical treatment.

The measure passed 18-16, with all Republicans favoring it and all Democrats opposed.

The bill would allow parents to exempt their children from "any learning material or activity." Republican sponsors have called it a needed check on government.

Democrats say the measure goes too far, limiting schools from providing non-emergency medical care without a parent's permission. Democrats called that a recipe for hiding child abuse.

The bill now heads to the Democratic House, where its prospects are dim.