The House Ways and Means Committee heard SB 357, sponsored by Rep. Morris, creating a registry of convicted child abusers. This bill defines "crime of child abuse" and requires the State Police Department to establish an electronic child abuse registry containing information relating to persons convicted of a crime of child abuse. It also requires the State Police to adopt rules to … [Read more...] about Registry of convicted child abusers
children
Department of Child Services matters
The House Judiciary Committee heard SB 305, sponsored by Rep. Frizzell and Rep. McNamara, on Department of Child Services matters. This bill makes a child who is a victim of human or sexual trafficking a new CHINS category, and adds a CHINS chapter for a child who lives in the same household as an adult who committed or charged with human or sexual trafficking. It also removes a … [Read more...] about Department of Child Services matters
Registry of convicted child abusers
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 357 on registry of convicted child abusers sponsored by Rep. Morris and Rep. Steuerwald. The bill requires the State Police Department to establish an electronic child abuse registry containing information relating to individuals convicted of a crime of child abuse. Chair Rep. Washburne declined to entertain an amendment … [Read more...] about Registry of convicted child abusers
Terminating the parent-child relationship
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard HB 1064, sponsored by Sen. Charbonneau, concerning terminating the parent-child relationship when the child is conceived during a rape. This bill extends to the parent who was the victim of the rape the opportunity to file a termination of parental rights (TPR) case against the alleged perpetrator of the rape. The juvenile or probate court would … [Read more...] about Terminating the parent-child relationship
No contact orders and battery
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard HB 1069, on no contact orders and battery. This bill permits the Department of Child Services (DCS) to file a petition for a no contact order on behalf of foster parents and their foster kids. The legislation also increases the penalty for battery against members of foster families from a Class B misdemeanor to a Level 6 felony. DCS spoke in f … [Read more...] about No contact orders and battery