Power · Strategy · Model Legislation
The Playbook:
How Coordinated Legislation Works.
Bills that travel in disguise — framed as protecting children, modernizing laws, or defending parental rights. Functioning as part of a coordinated national strategy when viewed together. Every entry sourced to bill text, official records, and model legislation.
4 Documented Entries · April 2026 · Companion: Legislative Pattern Map
How the strategy works
These bills don't come from state legislators.They come from national organizations that write model legislation and distribute it to state houses across the country. The bills get different names in different states. The sponsors read different talking points. But the text is often identical — and the goal is always the same.
01
Ohio HB 249
"Indecent Exposure Modernization Act"
The Cover Story
"Protecting children from obscene performances"
Passed Ohio House 63–32
What It Actually Does
Gives police broad discretion to interpret and enforce obscenity on a case-by-case basis — with no clear conduct threshold. Opponents say it criminalizes drag performances and creates legal threat for transgender Ohioans simply existing in public. ACLU warned these laws have been used to target unpopular speech for decades.
Where Else This Is Running
- Tennessee
- Florida
- Texas
- Arizona
All have passed similar legislation
Who Wrote It
Alliance Defending Freedom
ADF model legislation framework. ADF is a $100M+ legal organization that has drafted or co-drafted dozens of state laws targeting LGBTQ+ expression and gender identity.
02
Ohio HB 693
"Affirming Families First Act"
The Cover Story
"Protecting parental rights"
Heritage Foundation called it "the most comprehensive bill of its kind in the nation"
What It Actually Does
Bans state agencies from defining a parent as harmful for refusing to affirm a child’s gender identity. Creates an “irrefutable right” to conversion therapy. Threatens occupational licenses for doctors, teachers, and therapists who use gender-affirming language. Prevents child welfare agencies from collecting data on placement of LGBTQ+ youth in safe homes.
Where Else This Is Running
Similar bills introduced 2024–2026
Who Wrote It
Heritage Foundation
Heritage Foundation’s Senior Policy Analyst presented at the bill’s public launch. The Foundation publicly claimed credit for the bill’s scope.
03
Multi-State
Anti-Protest Bills Framed as "Public Safety"
The Cover Story
"Protecting public order"
34 states have anti-riot laws · 18 new laws passed 2025–26
What It Actually Does
Florida HB 1 defined “riot” as 3 or more people. Georgia deployed RICO statutes against protesters. Tennessee banned protests near the state legislature. Same legislative template, different state names. The definitions are broad enough to criminalize ordinary assembly.
Where Else This Is Running
- Florida
- Georgia
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Oklahoma
- 30+ others
Introduced or passed 2020–2026
Who Wrote It
ALEC
American Legislative Exchange Council model legislation. ALEC drafts bills with corporate sponsors, then distributes them to state legislators as ready-to-introduce templates.
04
Multiple States — "Clean Water for All Life Act"
Environmental Protection as Abortion Restriction
The Cover Story
"Environmental protection"
Framed around mifepristone contaminating drinking water
What It Actually Does
Restricts abortion pill access by claiming mifepristone contaminates drinking water. An EPA study found the claim is false. Real effect: mandates in-person exams and “catch kits,” bans telemedicine abortion nationwide. The environmental claim is the vehicle. Restricting medication abortion access is the goal.
Where Else This Is Running
Similar catch-kit bills introduced
Who Wrote It
Students for Life of America
Students for Life of America pressure campaign. SFLA publicly coordinates state-level legislation as part of its “Post-Roe America” strategy.
Companion Tool · Power & Strategy
Legislative Pattern Map
See the geographic spread. The Pattern Map tracks template legislation introduced simultaneously in 30+ states — the same bill, the same language, different letterhead. Who is writing the laws your state is passing.
Sources: Ohio HB 249 bill text, Ohio General Assembly · Ohio HB 693 bill text and legislative record · Heritage Foundation — Senior Policy Analyst presentation at HB 693 launch · Alliance Defending Freedom model legislation documentation · ALEC — model legislation database · Students for Life of America post-Roe state strategy documentation · ACLU — anti-obscenity law litigation history · EPA report on mifepristone and water systems · National Conference of State Legislatures — anti-riot law tracker · Ken Vogel and Anna Flagg reporting on ALEC · Last updated April 11, 2026.
This page is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice.
All claims are sourced to official bill text, public records, and documented organizational statements.