|
HB2916 on mandatory joint custody, by Rep. Mike Bell, was delayed this week in the Family Justice subcommittee until their Feb. 23 meeting. The committee will meet at 9:15 a.m. in room 16 at the Legislative Plaza.
It's expected that a number of both proponents and opponents will seek to provide testimony at the committee hearing. Although a majority of the subcommittee members are thought to support the bill, we found this week that several are at least willing to listen. The number of contacts made by the TWPC membership, as well as members of other organizations that oppose the bill, got the attention of several members. Great job, everyone. You are making a difference, and we need you to keep this momentum going!
If you can be at the meeting at 9:15 on February 23rd, that would be great. If you can't, please continue to contact the members of this subcommittee and voice your opposition.
The sponsor of this legislation reports that the bill was filed in response to a specific, high-profile local divorce case in his district, in which one parent apparently felt that adequate attention was not given to the possibility of joint custody with regard to a young child.
If the bill is approved by the subcommittee on the 23rd, it will likely be heard by the full Child and Family Affairs Committee on Wednesday, March 3, at 8:30 a.m. It's not too early to make contact with all members of the full committee. Their contact information is available at:
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/committees/children-family.html
There is not much other scheduled activity of interest next week, although more legislation is beginning to move onto calendars.
On the budget front, one caucus priority for 2010, the full funding of $15 million for the Coordinated School Health program, is off to a good start with a recommendation for funding, although with non-recurring dollars, in the budget proposed by Governor Bredesen. For a look at the entire budget presented to legislators on Feb. 1, go to: http://www.tennesseeanytime.org/gov/state-of-the-state/
Don't forget the Women's Day on the Hill on March 31! That's a great opportunity to tell legislators first hand about your views and to see the legislative process in action!
Andrea Dunn
Vice President Legislation
TWPC & NWPC
Past reports
January 29, 2010
January 22, 2010
Final 2009 Report
|
