State Roundup: Legislation Affecting Families in Indiana, Kentucky, New Hampshire and Washington

by Jeff Johnston | February 23, 2026 | Government Updates

At least 46 state legislatures are in session right now, considering bills that affect life, marriage, families and religious freedom. While Congress’ actions often receive the most media attention, there are important measures being debated in each state. 

Legislative efforts often spread from one state to others, so it’s important for those concerned about culture and policy issues to pay attention to what’s happening around the country — as well as what legislators propose in their own state. 

Here’s a quick rundown of bills in four different states — Indiana, Kentucky, New Hampshire and Washington — dealing with key issues affecting families. 

Defining “Male” and “Female” in Indiana

Indiana Family Institute (IFI) is supporting Senate Bill 182, a measure which defines “male” and “female” for all state laws. The Institute, a Focus on the Family-allied Family Policy Council, explains why the bill is needed: 

For decades, no statutory definition of “male” or “female” was necessary, but modern gender-identity activism has made clarity essential. Defining sex according to objective biological markers protects the original meaning of laws like Title IX and prevents the legal chaos that would result from replacing sex with self-declared identity. Senate Bill 182 would codify a clear, biologically based definition of “sex” in state law and require that birth certificates reflect an individual’s sex at birth, without later alteration.

In addition, the bill prohibits public schools “from requiring a student to share sleeping quarters with a member of the opposite sex, unless the individual who is a member of the opposite sex is a family member.” It also “requires public schools … to designate a multiple occupancy restroom or changing area as follows: (1) For the exclusive use of the male sex. (2) For the exclusive use of the female sex.”

Check out Indiana Family Institute for more information about their 2026 Legislative Agenda to support issues related to marriage, family, life and religious freedom. 

Religious Freedom in Kentucky

Kentucky’s Senate overwhelmingly passed legislation to protect the conscience rights of doctors, nurses and other health care professionals, with a vote of 28-5. SB 72, the Healthcare Heroes Recruitment and Retention Act, is supported by The Family Foundation, a Focus on the Family-allied Family Policy Council. The organization explains why this bill is important: 

This important bill protects doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals from being forced to perform harmful or unethical procedures that violate their oath and conscience.

David Walls, executive director of the pro-life, pro-family organization, encouraged the Kentucky House to pass the bill, saying, “No Kentuckian, especially our frontline healthcare workers, should be forced to choose between their faith and their profession.” 

There’s more information about The Family Foundation here. 

New Hampshire’s Pro-Life Measure 

“Right-to-try” laws allow patients with chronic and debilitating illnesses to access treatments that are not yet fully approved by the Food and Drug Administration. New Hampshire has a right to try law, but HB 1292 would improve the law and protect life by criminalizing the use aborted babies’ organs as a source for stem cell lines.

New Hampshire’s Cornerstone, a Focus on the Family-allied Family Policy Council, explains the importance of this legislation: 

After last year’s advancements for the right to try experimental life-saving treatments, biotech companies are now taking interest in New Hampshire. Layon’s bill will help continue to attract innovation to the Granite State while ensuring we stop and criminalize use of abortion byproducts.

The organization explains that the legislation is modeled after a successful Florida law, adding: 

By prohibiting experimental treatment biotech companies from using stem cells of aborted children, companies can research life-saving treatments without supporting a life-taking industry. Stem cell treatments that do not use abortion will still be strongly protected. 

Learn more about New Hampshire’s Cornerstone and how to support family-friendly legislation here. 

Higher Taxes in Washington State

The Washington State Legislature is considering a bill titled “Establishing a tax on millionaires.” SB 6346 is opposed by the Family Policy Institute of Washington (FPIW), a pro-life, pro-family Focus on the Family ally. 

The organization explains in a Facebook post that the bill places  a “9.9% income tax on income over one million dollars, along with a cap on charitable deductions.” Pastor Brian Noble, CEO and President of FPIW, argues that the “‘Millionaires Tax’ violates biblical principles of justice, property rights, charity, and civil authority, and also conflicts with the state constitution and voter intent.”

FPIW states that SB 6346 will negatively affect all families, giving this warning: 

High earner income and wealth taxes are associated with capital flight and relocation of entrepreneurs, investors, and business owners to lower tax states, which can shrink the long-term tax base and private sector job growth rather than strengthen it. In the name of “tax the rich,” the real impact of this bill will be to hurt middle- and lower-income families, who need good jobs in order to prosper.

Citizens of the Evergreen State can find out more about the bill here and more about Family Policy Institute of Washington here. 

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