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Heated debate on bill to allow reinstatement of terminated parental rights; House circles measure for further work
Summary
Representative Christiansen’s HB 156 — to create a statutory pathway to reinstate terminated parental rights — drew extended floor debate March 5, 2013; supporters cited audits and out‑of‑state precedents, opponents warned of risks to adoptive-family permanence and urged further agency review; the House voted to circle the bill for additional work.
A lengthy, often emotional debate played out on the House floor March 5 over a bill that would create a legal pathway to reinstate previously terminated parental rights in some circumstances.
Representative Christiansen (sponsor) opened by tying the amendment to recent performance audits of the Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) and the state’s child-welfare system. He said the amendment narrows and simplifies the bill and described three elements: a statement of parental liberty interest,…
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