West Lucas News

State Representatives Beth Lear and Josh Williams have introduced House Bill 262, proposing the designation of the period between Mother's Day and Father's Day as "Natural Family Month." This initiative aims to emphasize the importance of marriage and family in society.

Representative Lear expressed concern over current societal trends, stating, "At a time when marriage is trending downward and young couples are often choosing to remain childless, it's important for the State of Ohio to make a statement that marriage and families are the cornerstone of civil society, and absolutely imperative if we want to maintain a healthy and stable Republic."

Representative Williams highlighted demographic challenges facing America. He noted, “With America facing declining birth rates and a shrinking population, we can no longer afford to ignore the foundational role that strong families play in sustaining our future.” He added that House Bill 262 is about promoting stability through supporting two-parent households.

The U.S. birthrate has fallen below replacement levels at 1.7%, prompting this legislative move to encourage family creation as beneficial for Ohio's future. The bill awaits assignment to a committee for further consideration.