| Bill Number |
Sponsor |
Description |
Children's Lobby Comments |
Children's Lobby Position |
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| Parenting Rights & Responsibilities |
| HB1156 |
Spaulding |
Clarifies factors in determining parental rts & responsibilities in that harm "is likely" to occur rather than "will" occur to child; adds provisions to protect parent making reports of child abuse/neglect in a parenting proceeding |
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Support |
signed; eff. 9/6/10 ch. 273 |
| HB1420 |
Bickford |
Upon termination of support for one child, the amt of child support obligation for the remaining children shall be stated in the order |
There is no way to predict what the order should be in advance; parenting plans may have changed in interim; the child support calculation should be done anew as children age out. |
Oppose |
signed; eff. 9/18/10 ch. 321 |
| HB1216 |
Bickford |
Establishes self-support reserve for child support at 115% of federal poverty line. Recommended by child support study. |
This was developed by an ad hoc group convened by CFS; but it should have little opposition. Our activity may increase if necessary |
Support |
Signed; ch. 71, eff. 1/1/11 |
| HB1193 |
Gile |
Eliminates current limitation on cost of child care for purposes of determining amount of child support; est. oversight committee on child support |
This was drafted by an ad hoc group convened by CFS; and allows chid support calculations to more accurately reflect the true expenses for child care. |
Support |
Signed; ch. 26, eff. 1/1/11 |
| HB1491 |
Gargasz |
Revises child support formula in cases where parents have equal or nearly equal residential responsibility and requires consideration of extra ordinary child-rearing expenses as part of the child support formula |
|
Support |
Tabled in Senate |
| HB1474 |
Bickford |
DHHS required to review child support guidelines to ensure they accurately reflect child rearing expenses and are based on income shares model |
This is an unnecessary bill and puts extra burdens on DHHS when they are already significantly short-staffed. |
Oppose |
ITL |
| HB1552 |
Bickford |
Requires DHHS to revise child support guidelines based on the Melson formula |
Although the Melson formula has some merit, it was rejected by the Child Support economic study because it is too complicated for people to understand. We support that position and oppose this bill. |
Oppose |
ITL |
| HB1556 |
A Perkins |
Prohibits court from ordering parties in a divorce or child support proceeding to participate in counseling not covered by the parties' insurance |
Judges are sensitive to insurance coverage when considering counseling orders, and there is no need to further restrict them in making orders in the best interests of children. |
Oppose |
ITL |
| HB1565 |
Bickford |
Child support guidelines apply to the obligor's monthly net resources up to $7,500 |
Children should be able to enjoy the same standard of living in both houselholds after a divorce and this would cap child support payments for the higher earning parent. |
Oppose |
ITL |
| HCR20 |
Bickford |
Urges federal government to expand earned income tax credit to both parents in appropriate cases |
This was developed by an ad hoc group convened by CFS. Expansion of the EITC would be a benefit to children of divorce in low income families, but resolutions like this seldom have an impact on Congressional action. |
Support |
ITL |
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Child Protection and Foster Care
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| CACR 29 |
Itse |
The state shall not abridge the responsibility of parents for the health, education, and welfare of their children |
The state constitution already provides ample protection for the critical role that parents play in the care and well-being of their children. CACR 29 would jeopardize this long-standing body of law, and call into question the very underpinnings of our most important child welfare legislation. See complete statement here. <LINK> |
Oppose |
ITL |
| SB396 |
Sgambati |
Limits use of restraints in schools and treatment facilities by banning the use of the most dangerous forms of restraint that have resulted in deaths and serious injuries. |
Organizational culture and the process of organizational change are difficult and are not going to happen without the support and collaboration of all parties of the systems involved. SB 396 establishes the framework to continue to develop more effective treatment with better outcomes for children. While details remain to be worked out, the overall policy is an important new focus for child safety and treatment. See complete statement here. <LINK> |
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signed; eff. 9/1/10; ch. 375 |
| HB 1330 |
Wendelboe |
Restricts government action from burdening a person's free exercise of religion |
children in foster care need to have their rights to practice religion respected, but the child's wishes may differ from those of the parents; similarly, what happens if parents disagree; what happens if a particular religious practice requires a child to travel great distance to observe. |
Oppose |
ITL |
| HB1214 |
Gile |
Permits DHHS to suspend/revoke a foster care license based on repeated inability or unwillingness of the foster family to work collaboratively with DHHS, the parents and service providers |
|
No Position |
Signed; ch. 70 eff. 7/18/10 |
| HB1484 |
Rodd |
Prohibits political subdivision of the state from adopting an ordinance or bylaw that restricts the residence of a sexual offender or an offender against children |
Children should be taught safety precautions for all situations; most assaults are done by someone known to the child; restrictions on residence do little or nothing to protect children. |
Support |
Tabled in Senate |
| HB1422 |
Baldasaro |
Prohibits offenders against children from residing within 2,000 feet of a public or nonpublic elementary or secondary school or a child care facility |
Children should be taught safety precautions for all situations; most assaults are done by someone known to the child; restrictions on residence do little or nothing to protect children. |
Oppose |
ITL |
| HB1536 |
B. Richardson |
Establishes procedures for obtaining or waiving informed consent from parents prior to administering psychotropic drugs to children in DCYF or DJJ custody. |
There needs to be a pragmatic approach that assures appropriate therapies, including medication are available for youth in care without unduly burdening DCYF or DJJS. |
Oppose |
Interim Study |
| SB450 |
Sgambati |
Among other provisions, requires courts in juvenile justice and child protection cases to order the services suggested by DCYF or DJJS. Court may review the treatment plan only after 90 days. |
Courts already accept the overwhelming majority of recommendations from DCYF and DJJS, perhaps as much as 90 or 95% of the time. However, it is important to retain the court's independence for those situations in which cost concerns may inappropriately drive the recommendations contrary to the needs of the child, family and community. |
Oppose |
Conf. Comm. Failed |
| HB1467 |
Gile |
Committee to study extending Medicaid and similar sources of public & private aid to health insurance through age 20 for individuals who have aged out of foster care and are attending postsecondary school. |
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ITL |
| HB1587 |
Renzullo |
Eliminates all Medicaid benefits not mandated by Fed. Law, including: prescription drugs, intensive home and community services, residential care for children & youth (PNMI), child health support services (Parent Aides), community mental hlth ctrs |
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ITL |
| HB1177 |
Gile |
Committee to study education and career development programs for youth and young adults in juvenile and adult criminal justice systems |
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signed; eff. 7/8/10; ch. 276 |
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| HB1283 |
Renzullo |
Prohibits participating in HealthyKids Silver if individual is eligible for private health insurance regardless of the cost or coverage |
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ITL |
| HB1454 |
Willette |
Requires consent of parent or guardian prior to administering any medication or medical procedure on an unemancipated minor |
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ITL |
| HB1479 |
Schulze |
Requires schools to assess body mass index in all pupils on grades one, 4, 7 and 10 who have not opted out for religious reasons |
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ITL |
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| HB1284 |
Merry |
Requires draft minutes of bodies subject to right to know to be posted in 2 places within 5 business days of meeting. (see also HB 1356 which would make right to know apply to nonprofits with over $50,000 of local/state funding/year) |
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ITL |
| HB1356 |
Watrous |
Makes any 501(c)(3) organization that receives 2/3 of its funding or $50,000/year from the state or local government subject to right to know law. |
This bill may unduly burden nonprofit organizations with extensive requirements for providing public access to the organizations meetings or records at a time when resources are scarce. |
No Position |
ITL |
| HB1304 |
B Shaw |
extends task force on homeless teens |
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signed; eff. 6/14/10; ch. 141 |
| Hb1523 |
Schlachman |
Revises statute on public safety and violence prevention to include harassment, intimidation, bullying and cyberbullying |
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Support |
signed; eff. 7/1/10; ch. 155 |
| HB1178 |
McGuire |
Commission to hear from citizens who have concerns with state performance on issues relating to children and families, including divorce, foster care, child support. |
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ITL |
| HB1598 |
Donovan |
Restricts spending from the federal TANF block grant to TANF purposes |
This bill provides strong guidance to state decision makers that federal money targeted at assisting low income children and families should be used for those purposes. |
Support |
ITL |
