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After an hour of testimony by proponents this past Tuesday, Rep. Mike Bell's Mandatory Joint Custody bill, HB2916, was delayed for one more week in the Family Justice Subcommittee of the House Children and Family Affairs Committee. Rep. Bell, who chairs the subcommittee, told the audience at the beginning of the meeting that he had committed to Rep. Jeanne Richardson that opponents would have an additional week to bring in speakers in order for both sides to receive adequate time for comments.
The bill will be heard in subcommittee immediately after the noon meeting of the Children and Family Affairs Committee on Tuesday, March 2, tentatively in room 16 at the Legislative Plaza. Opponents of the legislation, including the NWPC, the Tennessee Bar Association, the Tennessee Association of Social Workers, and the Tennessee Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Rape and Sexual Abuse will offer testimony. Live video of the meeting is available at www.capitol.tn.gov/house/committees/sub-famjustice.html.
TWPC members can be helpful in two ways. First, contacts with subcommittee members are critical and should be made prior to Tuesday. Secondly, we would like for opponents to HB2916 to be as visible as the proponents were this week, if you are available to attend the meeting.
Contact information for subcommittee members is below. One important point to be made to legislators is that this bill is even worse for the children of divorce than previously filed Mandatory Joint Custody bills because this one requires "equal time with each of the child's parents unless the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that one or both parents are unfit to care for the child." In addition, it appears that NO other state has this incredibly high standard for determining that "equal time" and joint custody may not be in the child's best interest.
Committee Officers
* Mike Bell, Chair, (615) 741-1946, rep.mike.bell@capitol.tn.gov
* Jeanne Richardson, Vice-Chair, 741-2010, rep.jeanne.richardson@capitol.tn.gov
* John DeBerry, 741-2239, rep.john.deberry@capitol.tn.gov
* G. A. Hardaway, 741-5625, rep.ga.hardaway@capitol.tn.gov
* Barrett Rich, 741-6890, rep.barrett.rich@capitol.tn.gov
* Donna Rowland, 741-2804, rep.donna.rowland@capitol.tn.gov
Andrea Dunn
Vice President Legislation
TWPC & NWPC
Past reports
February 19, 2010
February 12, 2010
January 29, 2010
January 22, 2010
Final 2009 Report
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