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Sponsor seeks to add conviction language to parent‑child statute to bar custody to parents convicted of abusing other children
Summary
Representative Barbara Ehart introduced an RS to add language to Title 16, Chapter 20 to prevent a child from being placed with a parent who has been convicted of abusing other children; the committee introduced the request for legislative study/introduction.
Representative Barbara Ehart, R‑District 33, presented a request (RS) to amend Title 16, Chapter 20, which governs parent‑child relationships, to add language preventing placement of a child with a parent who has been convicted of abusing other children.
Ehart said the draft language would change current law that focuses on a parent's relationship to their own child to also consider convictions for abusing other children. "One thing we found out... is that children, can still be given to a parent who ******** abused other children and so we would be adding this language as consideration to prevent a child from being given to the parent who was convicted, not just accused, but convicted of ******** abusing other children," she said in committee testimony.
No opponents or outside witnesses registered on the RS. Committee members did not request additional technical testimony during the brief presentation. The committee subsequently moved to introduce the RS; specific bill numbering, staff analysis and statutory drafting details will follow normal legislative drafting procedures if the RS becomes a bill.
The committee's action was to introduce the RS for consideration; the measure at the RS stage does not itself change law. Further committee hearings would be required for any bill emerging from the request.
