15 May May 15, 2017 Monday – Legislative Update, Child Custody bill
ONLY 4 MORE LEGISLATIVE DAYS LEFT.
Tuesday will probably be filled with budget bills.
Wednesday will probably be filled with the autism bill.
By Thursday the only bills heard in the Senate will be House bills due to the end of the session approaching.
House Bill 239 (HB239) has already passed the House. We need to stop House Bill 239 (HB239) from passing in the Senate. HB 239 is a custody bill written by attorneys of the Alabama Law Institute, Family Law Committee. Despite HB 239 suggesting that children should have “frequent and continuing” contact with their parents; the bill not only fails to define frequent and continuing contact, but also preserves the status quo of standard visitation, which unduly restricts a child to 4-6 days a month with one parent.
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Experts in family systems, psychology, sociology, and the like have presented 40 studies that agree with 112 social scientists around the world who reached a consensus “…equal or approximately equal time-sharing with a minor child by both fit parents is in the best interest of the child.” HB 239 ignores current research. As a result, the bill fails to equally protect children’s relationships with both of their fit parents; and places Alabama children at risk for juvenile imprisonment, teen pregnancy, suicide, drug use, and sex trafficking.
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Would rather have no bill passed than to adopt a bill that reaffirms the current practices. We do not want HB 239 to be placed on the Senate Special Order Calendar during the 2017 legislative session
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Please make your phone calls and emails before 2:00 pm on Tuesday, May 16th if possible.
Please contact each member of the Senate Rules Committee (below) and ask them NOT to place HB239 on the Senate Special Order Calendar so that the Senate will NOT vote on it!
Senate Rules Committee:
Sen. Jabo Waggoner (334)242-7892 jabo.waggoner@alsenate.gov
Sen. Billy Beasley (334)242-7868 billy.beasley@alsenate.gov
Sen. Dick Brewbaker (334)242-7895 dick.brewbaker@alsenate.gov
Sen. Gerald Dial (334)242-7874 gerald_dial@yahoo.com
Sen. Vivian Figures (334)242-7871 vivian.figures@alsenate.gov
Sen. Rusty Glover (334)242-7886 rusty.glover@alsenate.gov
Sen. Bill Hightower (334)242-7882 bill.hightower@alsenate.gov
Sen. Jimmy Holley (334)242-7845 jill.stallworth@alsenate.gov
Sen. Jim McLendon (334)242-7898 jimmcc@windstream.net
Sen. Arthur Orr (334)242-7891 senator@arthurorr.com
Sen. Trip Pittman (334) 242-7897 trip.pittman@alsenate.gov
Sen. Greg Reed (334)242-7894 greg.reed@alsenate.gov
Sen. Paul Sanford (334)242-7867 paul.sanford@alsenate.gov
Sen. Clay Scofield (334)242-7876 clay.scofield@alsenate.gov
Sen Rodger Smitherman (334)242-7870 rodger.smitherman@alsenate.gov
Sen. Phil Williams (334)242-7857 phil@williamsstatesenate.com
Rule clerk: sue.spears@alsenate.gov
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Also, head over to our Facebook and Web pages to share posts, encouraging lawmakers to do what’s right for children and families!
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The enclosed comparison chart and scientific literature irrefutably reflect SB 186 as the best child custody legislation, thus resulting in better outcomes for children.
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ALFRA is an all-volunteer organization. We have to let our voices and concerns be heard in Montgomery in order to make a difference.
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