Which term refers to the government's power to enact and enforce laws to protect the health, safety, morals, and welfare of the general public?

• A. Zoning
• B. Police Powers
• C. Enabling Acts
• D. Escheat

Answer: (B)

The broad authority that lets a government enact and enforce laws to protect the health, safety, morals, and welfare of the public is called police powers. This phrase describes the overall power governments have to regulate private activity and property to prevent harm and promote the common good. You can see it in everyday rules like building codes, health and safety regulations, licensing requirements, traffic laws, and nuisance abatements. Zoning is a tool used under police powers to manage land use, but it’s not the general term for the authority itself. Enabling Acts are laws that authorize agencies or specific actions, not the overarching power. Escheat is the process by which property passes to the state when someone dies without heirs, which is unrelated to protecting public health or safety.