| From the HSLDA E-lert Service: |
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| Date: From: Subject: | 1/27/2006 5:56:58 PM Home School Legal Defense Association Washington--Calls Needed to Hold CPS Accountable |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== January 27, 2006 Dear HSLDA members and friends: We need your calls to the House Judiciary Committee to ensure that social workers are held liable for violating a family's rights when conducting an investigation. House Bill 3148 would exempt social workers from "civil liability for any act or omission to act during an investigation of child abuse or neglect." Additionally, this bill requires the interest of a child to be raised above the parent's interest. For over 20 years, HSLDA has defended thousands of homeschool families who were falsely accused of child neglect. In many of these situations, social workers blatantly disregarded the law and the parent's Fourth Amendment rights. Removing a social worker from civil liability could allow a massive abuse of power. Social workers would simply give the excuse that they were simply concerned for the children and continue to disregard the rights of the family during their investigation. We need your calls to keep social workers accountable. The Judiciary Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on House Bill 3148 on Wednesday, February 1 at 1:30 p.m. in Hearing Room B so we need your calls now. Please forward this e-mail to friends and family. Action Requested: 1. Please call and/or e-mail all of the House Judiciary Committee members listed below and give them this message in your own words: "Please oppose House Bill 3148. This bill removes the presumption that parents act in their child's best interest and removes necessary accountability for social workers. I believe that anyone who abuses or neglects a child should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I also believe that DSHS has a vital part to play in helping abused children. However, removing the possibility of civil liability for violating a family's rights during an investigation is not in the best interest of the citizens of this state. Please ensure that House Bill 3148 is defeated." Do not identify yourself as a homeschooler; instead you can identify yourself as a concerned parent and taxpayer. Representatives Darneille, Roberts, Kagi are sponsors of H.B. 3148. Judiciary Committee Members Representative Patricia Lantz - Chairman (D) Olympia Office Phone: (360) 786-7964 District Office Phone: (253) 858-6297 E-mail: lantz.patricia@leg.wa.gov Representative Dennis Flannigan - Vice Chair (D) Olympia Office Phone: (360) 786-7930 District Office Phone: (253) 593-2345 E-mail: flannigan.dennis@leg.wa.gov Representative Brendan Williams - Vice Chair (D) Olympia Office Phone: (360) 786-7940 E-mail: williams.brendan@leg.wa.gov Representative Skip Priest - Ranking Minority Member (R) Olympia Office Phone: (360) 786-7830 E-mail: priest.skip@leg.wa.gov Representative Jay Rodne - Asst Ranking Minority Member (R) Olympia Office Phone: (360) 786-7852 E-mail: rodne.jay@leg.wa.gov Representative Tom Campbell (R) Olympia Office Phone: (360) 786-7912 E-mail: campbell.tom@leg.wa.gov Representative Steve Kirby (D) Olympia Office Phone: (360) 786-7996 E-mail: kirby.steve@leg.wa.gov Representative John Serben (R) Olympia Office Phone: (360) 786-7922 District Office Phone: (509) 458-2140 E-mail: serben.john@leg.wa.gov Representative Larry Springer (D) Olympia Office Phone: (360) 786-7822 District Office Phone: (425) 739-1806 E-mail: springer.larry@leg.wa.gov Representative Alex Wood (D) Olympia Office Phone: (360) 786-7888 District Office Phone: (509) 568-3065 E-mail: wood.alex@leg.wa.gov Background: In recent years there has been an unprecedented rise in the number of homeschool families that have been investigated by social workers, many for completely false allegations anonymously phoned in from a disgruntled relative or neighbor. As a result of the abuses of the child welfare system, we at HSLDA are working to reform the child welfare laws in the states. We support legislation which would protect families by forcing social workers to abide by the same laws regular law enforcement officials must obey. HSLDA attorneys also work constantly to represent our member families who are undergoing social services investigations for exercising their right to homeschool. House Bill 3148 would enable social workers to act with regard to possible civil liability for violating a family's rights if "it is for the children." Also, the following statement in the bill is extremely troubling: "When the child's interests of basic nurture, physical and mental health, and safety conflict with the parents' interests, the interests of the child should prevail. In conducting investigations under this chapter, appropriate placement of the child during or immediately after the investigation shall be the department's paramount concern." HSLDA believes child abuse is a terrible crime and that true abusers should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. However, about 60% of abuse and neglect reports are deemed unfounded. If social workers are able to act without regard for potential civil liability our concern is that they will disregard the rights of parents and the importance of the family unit, which could cause even greater injustices. For more information on social worker investigation and legislative reform, please go to http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id= 2804 . If you are not yet a member of HSLDA and would like to help us fight for greater homeschool freedom in Washington please visit http://www.hslda.org/join/apply.asp . From now until March 18th you can save an additional $15 to $30 if you join or renew online. If you would like to be put on our free e-mail list to receive vital elerts you may sign up at http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id= 2803 . Thank you for your part in fighting for freedom in Washington. Sincerely, Thomas Schmidt HSLDA Staff Attorney ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> How many acorns can a chipmunk hold in its cheeks? We don't know! But we do know that gathering little by little enables ordinary folks to prepare for hard times. That principle is behind HSLDA's payment plan: by paying a month at a time, families can receive an annual HSLDA membership. Meanwhile, they can feel secure as they homeschool and focus on other priorities -their children. Don't go nuts trying to pay for membership all at once. Choose one of our convenient payment plans. More reasons to join HSLDA... http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=1937 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ====================================================================== The HSLDA E-lert Service is a service of: Home School Legal Defense Association P.O. 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If this is an invalid email address or you have other problems, please reply to webmaster@hslda.org. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- DISCLAIMER: This is considered a private and confidential message from HSLDA to its bonafide HSLDA E-lert Service subscribers. HSLDA cannot attest to the authenticity of copies posted, forwarded, or sent by any party other than HSLDA. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: Please do not reply or otherwise use this email address; hslda@hslda.org is for broadcast purposes only and is not intended to receive incoming messages. We cannot reply to any email sent to this address. If you have comments or questions, please send email to info@hslda.org or call HSLDA at 540-338-5600. HSLDA members can also email staff directly through the Members website at http://members.hslda.org/contact.asp. Thank you for your cooperation. ====================================================================== | |
