| From the HSLDA E-lert Service: |
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| Date: From: Subject: | 2/4/2003 11:41:34 AM Home School Legal Defense Association Florida--Calls Needed: SB 128 Will Endanger Parents' Rights |
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ---------------------------------------------------------------------- February 4, 2003 Dear HSLDA Members and Friends, Over the years, Home School Legal Defense Association has represented many families in conflict with grandparents who did not like homeschooling. These grandparents would try to stop the homeschooling through various means including turning the family over to the child welfare services. Thankfully, most grandparents we come in contact with at HSLDA support homeschooling and in some situations participate in the teaching. However, Senate Bill 128 would allow grandparents and great- grandparents to sue parents for visitation rights. If this bill becomes law, they could sue "natural parents who are still married to each other" if "either or both parents have used their parental authority to prohibit a relationship between the minor and the grandparents or great-grandparents." Of course, if a grandparent brings such a suit under this act, the court may appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the child and order family mediation and a psychological evaluation of the child. Parental rights would likely be ignored. S.B. 128 has been referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary and Subcommittee on Article V Implementation and Judiciary. The Judiciary and Appropriations Committees will be meeting the first week of February. The Florida Senate's regular session will convene the first week of March. Therefore, we urge you to call your Senator immediately to stop this bill. ACTION REQUESTED 1) Call the sponsor of S.B. 128 and deliever the following message in your own words: "Please withdraw your bill S.B. 128. This bill violates the constitutional rights of parents." Sponsor: Walter G. "Skip" Campbell, Jr. (D) (850) 487-5094 2) Call as many of the senators listed below and give them the following message in your own words: "Please vote against S.B. 128. This bill unconstitutionally violates parental rights. You need to trust parents and oppose this bill." You do not need to identify yourself as a homeschooler but simply as a concerned parent. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Article V Implementation and Judiciary: Chair: Rod Smith (D) (850) 487-5020 JD Alexander (R) (850) 487-5044 Dave Aronberg (D) (850) 487-5356 J. Alex Villalobos (R) (850) 487-5130 Stephen R. Wise (R) (850) 487-5027 Judiciary Committee: Chair: J. Alex Villalobos (R) (850) 487-5130 Vice Chair: Dave Aronberg (D) (850) 487-5356 Walter G. "Skip" Campbell, Jr. (D) (850) 487-5094 Lisa Carlton (R) (850) 487-5081 Charlie Clary (R) (850) 487-5009 Alex Diaz de la Portilla (R) (850) 487-5109 Durell Peaden, Jr. (R) (850) 487-5000 Rod Smith (D) (850) 487-5020 Daniel Webster (R) (850) 487-5047 You can also find your own senator's phone number either by calling your county clerk's office or by using HSLDA's legislative toolbox at http://www.hslda.org/toolbox. HSLDA will continue to monitor this legislation and will inform you of updates at: http://www.hslda.org/Legislation/State/fl/2003/FLSB128/default.asp Thank you for taking the time to protect parental rights. Sincerely, Christopher Klicka HSLDA Senior Counsel {{JoinAd}} ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The HSLDA E-lert Service is a service of: Home School Legal Defense Association P.O. 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Thank you for your cooperation. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- | |
