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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 14, 2013 04:00 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative William C. Kortz, II |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Co-sponsorship of Legislation – Grandparents’ Rights Relating to Custody of Dependent Child (Former HB 1133) |
| In the near future, I will be reintroducing legislation which amends Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure), §6351 (a), by adding a provision that gives grandparents additional rights and consideration as it relates to the placement of a dependent child. This legislation is identical to House Bill 1133 introduced last session. It is my sincere hope you will join me in this effort. Ensuring that our children are placed in stable and nurturing homes is a monumental task for courts and child advocacy groups across this Commonwealth. Unfortunately, caring grandparents are often overlooked with regards to the placement of dependent children. Current law allows a court to consider any relative who, after study by the probation officer or other person or agency designated by the court, is found to be qualified to receive and care for the child. However, Pennsylvania law does not afford grandparents specific or distinctive rights. Under my legislation, if a court determines that a dependent child should be placed with an individual other than the child’s parents, guardian or other custodian, a grandparent who wishes to be given custody shall be considered. Additionally, the bill specifically allows grandparents to have standing in any court proceeding involving the dependent child or children. The merits of this legislation are compelling: it keeps familial relationships intact, it can be good for the psychological health of the child, and it helps to counterbalance the tearing apart of the family unit that is already occurring. In 2007 this legislation (then HB 1548) passed the House with a 181-11 vote. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation. Previous Co-sponsors of former HB 1133: Aument, Bear, Brennan, Caltagirone, Carroll, D. Costa, Cutler, DeLuca, Donatucci, Fabrizio, Gergely, Gibbons, Gingrich, Grell, Hess, Hornaman, Kavulich, Kotik, Mahoney, Millard, Mullery, Pashinski, Rapp, Reichley, Sainato, Schroder, Swanger, Youngblood, Farry and Denlinger |
Introduced as HB539