| From the HSLDA E-lert Service: |
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| Date: From: Subject: | 2/8/2006 4:50:11 PM Home School Legal Defense Association Iowa--Calls Needed to Defend Parental Rights |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== February 8, 2006 Dear HSLDA members and friends, A bill we have been tracking has begun to move in the Iowa legislature. Senate File 2031 is a Grandparents Rights bill. The name sounds harmless but the language in the bill would hurt parental rights. Over the years, HSLDA has represented member families in conflict with grandparents who did not like homeschooling. These grandparents would try to stop the parents homeschooling through various means including turning the family over to the child welfare services. Thankfully, most grandparents support homeschooling and in some situations even participate in the teaching. However, S.F. 2031 would give grandparents and great-grandparents the right to receive visitation rights if the judge determines the parent is unfit to make the decision, or if the parent is capable of making the decision but a judge decides that denying visitation poses substantial harm to the child. If this bill becomes law, grandparents could sue the children's parents if either or both parents have used their parental authority to deny visitation between the minor and the grandparents or great-grandparents. This bill is dangerous because it allows a court to decide whether a parent is fit without giving any guidelines on what a fit parent is. It also allows a court to second guess a parent's determination of what is best for his child. The bill is scheduled for a subcommittee meeting tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m., February 9, 2006. Your calls can make the difference. Action Requested: The members of the subcommittee are: Amanda Ragan, Co-Chair James A. Seymour, Co-Chair Keith A. Krieman Maggie Tinsman Please call them via the Senate Switchboard at (515) 281-3371 and give them this message: "Please vote against S.F. 2031. This bill violates parental rights and is unconstitutional because it is vague. This bill gives judges total discretion to second guess capable parents. We urge you to trust parents and oppose this bill." You do not need to identify yourself as a homeschooler but simply as a concerned parent. Thank you for taking the time to protect parental rights. Sincerely, Christopher Klicka HSLDA Senior Counsel ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> Is customer service an art or a science? For us, good customer service is both an art and a science -it should appeal to our members and be effective. Consider what our members say about us: The freedom HSLDA allows me to have as I homeschool is wonderful! They handle the law and I get to dedicate the time to my daughter. - National City, CA HSLDA members since 1993, our membership is just as important to us as our children's curriculum. Thank you HSLDA for all you do on our behalf! - West Valley, NY More reasons to join HSLDA... http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=1941 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ====================================================================== 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. ====================================================================== | |
