This page features Heritage-recommended state model policies, including legislation developed by Heritage and proposals from aligned organizations.
Updated as of October 1, 2026
COUNTERING CHINA
No Foreign Adversary on Our Kids in School Act (No Foreign Adversary HOOKS Act): Restricts American. educational institutions from engaging in academic partnerships, using materials, or forming cooperative relationships with entities from designated foreign adversary countries to protect state and national security interests
An Act to Scrutinize Foreign Adversary Real Estate Purchases: Restricts foreign adversaries from owning or leasing real estate to protect sensitive military assets, safeguard key infrastructure, and ensure key food supplies remain under American control.
An Act to Prohibit Procurement from Chinese State-Controlled Technology Manufacturers: Bans state and local government from procuring information and communication technology from companies controlled by the People’s Republic of China or Chinese Communist Party that can pose espionage and national security risk
An Act to Prohibit Receiving Compensation for Lobbying on Behalf of a Foreign Adversary: Prohibits compensation for lobbying activities conducted on behalf of designated foreign adversaries to reduce undue influence on state and local government
An Act to Prohibit State Procurement of Scrutinized Electric Vehicles: Restricts state and public entity purchases of electric vehicles produced with forced labor in China
Model School Board Policy on Parental Rights in Education and Safety, Privacy, and Respect for All Students in the District: Protects parents’ rights to access school records, curriculum materials, and make decisions regarding their education or medical care
Protecting K-12 Students from Discrimination: Prohibits schools from compelling students or staff to affirm, adhere to or profess ideas that are in violation of Title VI and VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Noncitizens Engaging in Terrorist Activity at Institutes of Higher Education (IHEs): Prohibits all students, faculty members, and staff members, if they hold a nonimmigrant visa, from publicly supporting terrorist activity related to an ongoing conflict
Rejecting Racism in Postsecondary Institutions and Postsecondary Accreditation: Prohibits public colleges and universities from compelling students or staff to affirm, adhere to or profess ideas that are in violation of Title VI and Section VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, requires post-secondary institutions to reject federal funding that require the promotion of DEI, and prohibits accrediting agencies from basing decisions based on DEI programs or practices
Teaching the Success Sequence to Help Every Child Succeed in School and in Life: Model State/District School Board Policy: Requires public schools to teach the "success sequence" -- completing a high school education, work or earn a terminal degree, and get married before having children -- as an evidence-based pathway to avoid poverty and achieve long-term success
Model Bill for State Teacher Certification: Reforms teacher certification standards to prioritize proficiency and subject-matter knowledge over traditional university-based credentials
An Act: Relating to Civics Education Requirements for High School Graduation: Mandates a high school civics education course focused on constitutional principles, American history, and civic responsibilities as a graduation requirement
Institute for Justice – Education Savings Account Act (Publicly Funded): Expands educational choice via Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) and empowers parents to personalize their child’s education
Institute for Justice – Education Savings Account Act (Tax-Credit Funded): Expands educational choice via Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) and empowers parents to personalize their child’s education using private funds
Consumers Defense – Keep Accreditation About Academics Act: Prohibits accrediting agencies from reviewing or considering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in accreditation decisions rather than academic merit
Goldwater Institute – Academic Transparency Act: Mandates that each school operated by a school district or charter school list publicly on their website school procedures for lesson plan approval, teacher and staff training materials, and learning materials and activities used for student instruction
Codify the Federal Higher Education Compact: Codifies the principles of the federal higher education compact, including merit, nondiscrimination, student learning, institutional neutrality, and financial responsibility, at the state level
Implementation of a State Census:
Establishes a state census to ensure accurate representation and requires that statea uses only the citizen population when deciding on its legislative redistricting
Accuracy of Voter Registration Lists:
Establishes a statewide voter registration list database for regular maintenance, verification, and removal of inaccurate or ineligible voter registrations
Vote Trafficking: Prohibits vote trafficking by third parties and protects vulnerable voters by ensuring candidates, campaign staffers, and party activists are prohibited from picking up and potentially mishandling absentee ballots
Election Litigation: Ensures that state lawmakers have standing to sue other state officials who make or attempt to make unauthorized changes to state election laws
Same-Day Voter Registration: Restricts or eliminates same-day voter registration to allow officials to verify accuracy and confirm eligibility of the individual seeking to cast a vote in the upcoming election
Automatic Voter Registration: Prohibits or limits automatic voter registration systems to prevent duplicative registrations or registering ineligible individuals
Private Funding of Election Officials: Restricts state, county, and/or local funding or grants to election offices to ensure impartial, publicly funded administration
Honest Elections Project – Zuckbucks 2.0:
Prohibits state and local governments from accepting private funds or in-kind support for election administration
Honest Elections Project – The Prohibiting Foreign Funding from Ballot Measures Act: Prohibits ballot initiative and referendum committees from receiving or using funds from foreign nationals and bars foreign nationals from influencing ballot measure activity
Honest Elections Project – Foreign Funding Certification: Requires certification from individuals or entities contracting with state or local governments on election administration that they have not received foreign donations directly or indirectly
Honest Elections Project – Procedural Audit:
Requires that election procedures in each state county and political subdivision in the state be audited at least once over an eight-year period
American Legislative Exchange Council – Only Citizens Vote Model Policy: Ensures only citizens are eligible to vote in all public elections, constitutional amendments, and ballot initiatives
Documentary Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration: Verifies eligibility and documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration at the state level
State Pension Fiduciary Duty Act: Ensures that state retirement funds are invested solely to achieve a return for state employees who are pension plan beneficiaries rather than to achieve political or social objectives
Eliminate Economic Boycotts Act: Requires companies that contract with the state to certify that they do not boycott or discriminate against companies to achieve woke political objectives
Proposed UPMIFA Amendment: Amends the Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act to protect the charitable purpose of institutional funds managed and invested by state universities and other government institutions holding funds for charitable purposes
Affordable and Reliable Electricity Act: Directs the state’s electric utility regulatory agency to develop rules and procedures promoting an affordable and reliable electric grid that meets estimated peak demand, including during extreme weather events
Requirement for Employers to Use Federal E-Verify Program: Mandates public and private employers verify the employment eligibility of the employee through the E-Verify program maintained and operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Requiring Participation in the 287(g) Program by all State Law Enforcement Agencies: Requires local law enforcement agencies to participate in the immigration program established under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S. Code § 1357
State Eligibility Requirement for Driver's Licenses and Identification Cards: Restricts issuance of driver's licenses and state ID cards to U.S. citizens and lawfully present individuals
Money and Wire Transmission Fee: Requires money and wire transfer businesses to charge a state fee on transactions, which is refunded only to customers who prove U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency through a state income tax credit
Charging K-12 Public School Tuition for Illegal Alien Students Act: Requires illegal alien students to pay tuition to attend public schools to protect limited taxpayer dollars
Given Name Act: Requires public education employees to address a student by the name listed on their birth certificate, unless the school has received written permission from a parent or guardian
Defining Abuse Child Protection Act: Affirms a parent’s fundamental right to direct the care and upbringing of their child in a manner consistent with the child’s sex
Reproductive Empowerment and Support Through Optimal Restoration (RESTORE) Act: Expands and promotes research and data collection on reproductive health conditions, which are the leading causes of infertility, and provides training opportunities for medical professionals to learn how to diagnose and treat reproductive health conditions
Vital and State Records Integrity Act: Ensures the accuracy and integrity of vital records by defining male and female for designating sex on state records
Human Embryo Protection Act: Prohibits the creation of human embryos for sale and protects human embryos from experimentation and destructive human embryonic stem cell research
Americans United for Life – The Abortion-Inducing Drug Risk Protocol: Mandates oversight in abortion-inducing drugs by requiring in-person physician evaluation, informed consent, gestational limits, and strict protocols for prescribing and dispensing drugs, as well as mandating extensive reporting and tracking of complications
End Biologics and Drugs (BAD) Mandates Act:
Protects the right of individuals, including parents, to make informed decisions regarding medical interventions without discrimination, coercion, or exclusion by public or private entities