| From the HSLDA E-lert Service: |
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| Date: From: Subject: | 1/13/2012 5:05:43 PM Home School Legal Defense Association Washington: More Action Needed on Third-Party Visitation Bill! |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== More Action Needed on Third-Party Visitation Bill! Dear HSLDA Members and Friends: We have just learned that House Bill 2193 is scheduled for an executive session in the House Judiciary Committee for Thursday, January 19, 2012. This means that the bill could be passed out of the committee at that time. As you may recall, House Bill 2193 is a "third party visitation bill" that would allow any person who "has established an ongoing and substantial relationship with the child" to petition the court to allow them to have visitation rights with that child--even if the parent objects. If you have not already done so, we need you to contact the House Judiciary Committee now and voice your opposition to the bill. While House Bill 2193 is not a "homeschool" bill, it has the potential to negatively impact parental rights in Washington. Under House Bill 2193 any single parent or married couple who are temporarily living apart (for instance, due to a job or for financial reasons) could face the threat of a petition for third-party visitation. Additionally, anyone who could show he had a relationship with the child for at least one year through interaction, companionship, and mutuality could petition the court for visitation rights. There would be no requirement that the person be related to the child. At the public hearing on January 11, several individuals and groups, including Christian Homeschool Network of Washington (CHNOW) testified against the bill. However, a number of people testified in favor of the bill. We need your calls and emails to help defeat this bill! Action Requested 1) Please call and email the House Judiciary Committee members listed below and give them this message in your own words: "Please oppose House Bill 2193. This bill interferes with parents' fundamental right to direct the care, custody, and control of their children. No parents should have to have their parental decision on who visits their children challenged court. Allowing any person who has formed a relationship with the child and family to be able to petition the court for visitation rights is outrageous. Additionally, this bill would allow courts to determine visitation in situations where the family is still intact, jeopardizing family integrity. Please vote against House Bill 2193 and ensure that it is defeated." You do not need to identify yourself as a homeschooler; instead you can identify yourself as a concerned parent and taxpayer. Please let the legislator know if you are in their district. House Judiciary Committee Members Rep. Jamie Pedersen--Chair (D) (sponsor of HB 2193) Phone: (360) 786-782 Email: Jamie.Pedersen@leg.wa.gov Rep. Roger Goodman--Vice Chair (D) (sponsor of HB 2193) Phone: (360) 786-7878 Email: Roger.Goodman@leg.wa.gov Rep. Jay Rodne (R) Phone: (360) 786-7852 Email: Jay.Rodne@leg.wa.gov Rep. Matt Shea (R) Phone: (360) 786-7984 Email: Matt.Shea@leg.wa.gov Rep. Bruce Chandler (R) Phone: (360)786-7960 Email: Bruce.Chandler@leg.wa.gov Rep. Deb Eddy (D) (sponsor of HB 2193) Phone: (360) 786-7848 Email: Deb.Eddy@leg.wa.gov Rep. Drew Hanson (D) Phone: (360) 786-7842 Email: Drew.Hansen@leg.wa.gov Rep. Steve Kirby (D) Phone: (360) 786-7996 Email: Steve.Kirby@leg.wa.gov Rep. Brad Klippert (R) Phone: (360) 786-7882 Email: Brad.Klippert@leg.wa.gov Rep. Terry Nealey (R) (sponsor of HB 2193) Phone: (360) 786-7828 Email: Terry.Nealey@leg.wa.gov Rep. Tina Orwall (D) (sponsor of HB 2193) Phone: (360) 786-7834 Email: Tina.Orwall@leg.wa.gov Rep. Ann Rivers (R) (sponsor of HB 2193) Phone: (360) 786-7850 Email: Ann.Rivers@leg.wa.gov Rep. Mary Helen Roberts (D) (sponsor of HB 2193) Phone: (360) 786-7950 Email: MaryHelen.Roberts@leg.wa.gov Background Over the years, HSLDA has represented member families in conflict with grandparents and other relatives who did not like homeschooling. These relatives would occasionally try to stop the homeschooling through various means, including turning the family over to child welfare services. Thankfully, most grandparents we encounter at HSLDA support homeschooling and in some situations even participate in the teaching. However, House Bill 2193 would allow any third party to sue the parent for visitation rights. If this bill becomes law, a person could petition the court for visitation rights when both parents are together and not only when there is a pending dissolution, legal separation, or modification of a parenting plan proceeding. On the surface these bills appear to protect parents' rights by acknowledging that the decision of a fit parent is presumed to be in the child's best interest. However, the petitioner is only required to demonstrate that he or she had a "significant relationship" with the child and that the child would likely suffer harm or substantial risk of harm if visitation with the third party is not awarded. This places the court in the position of deciding whether the parent was justified in limiting contact with the third party. House Bill 2193 is identical to a bill that was introduced back in the 2010 legislative session, House Bill 2421. With your calls in opposition and the hard work of people on the ground, that bill was defeated. Please contact the legislators listed above to help us defeat this bill once again. We greatly value you and your support--it is a privilege to serve you! If you or someone you know is not a member of HSLDA, will you consider taking a moment today to join or recommend us and support our work defending individual families threatened by government officials and protecting homeschooling freedom for all? Join now:http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=13233 If you would like to be put on our free email list to receive vital e-lerts you may sign up online. http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=13234 Thank you for your part in fighting for freedom in Washington! Sincerely, Thomas J. (Tj) Schmidt HSLDA Staff Attorney ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> 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: We're thankful for the support HSLDA membership provides us. We'd never homeschool without them. We highly recommend HSLDA to all homeschoolers. - North Tonawanda, NY I cannot imagine our homeschool journey without HSLDA's strong leadership, protection, and guidance. God bless HSLDA! - Alta Loma, California More reasons to join HSLDA... http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=1940 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ====================================================================== 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. ====================================================================== | |
