News from 2011 Legislative Session:

As you know the HJM001, Parental Rights Amendment to the US Constitution passed the Idaho house (each state has to ask Congress to open a Constitutional Congress to amend the US Constitution). The language is as follows:

SECTION 1
The liberty of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children is a fundamental right.
SECTION 2
Neither the United States nor any State shall infringe upon this right without demonstrating that its governmental interest as applied to the person is of the highest order and not otherwise served.
SECTION 3
No treaty may be adopted nor shall any source of international law be employed to supersede, modify, interpret, or apply to the rights guaranteed by this article.

Section 1 of this amendment does not define 'parent' and there are over 5 million children in the United States being raised by grandparents, that's 1 in every 10 children under the age of 18.  This figure does not take into account the numerous aunts, uncles, siblings etc., that are also raising children.  As we all know parents do not always make or chose the right decision regarding their children so we need to make sure that children are protected and their rights recognized as parental rights are not absolute.

This is currently in the Senate Affairs Committee but you need to contact your senator and urge him to vote no on HJM001.    - Tracee

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The Grandparent Visitation bill for the State of Idaho is currently being printed. We'll let you know as soon as we have a copy. We'll also update status of the bill on our Facebook page.

Legislative Items

• January 2009 - GAP's letter to Senator Darrington
• January 2009 - GAP's Visitation Legislation Research
• January 2009 - GAP's Grandparent Visitation Bill - DRAFT
• January 2009 - U of I College of Law - Suggestions for Legislative Reform in Idaho in Support of Kin Caregivers
• September 2008 - Grandparent Visitation & Guardianships - DRAFTS KAG 052 and 054

Other Initiatives:

•  Health & Welfare Issues Discussions

  Health & Welfare Strategic Plan FY2007-2011

  Health & Welfare Strategic Plan FY2007-2011

News coverage:

• January 26, 2009 - Idaho Statesman                             "Heart of the Treasure Valley:  Forever family"
• October 20, 2008 - Idaho Statesman "Katherine Jones:  A grandma shut out of her grandson's life fights for his - and her - rights
• May 14, 2008 - KBCI, Channel 2 Eyewitness News in  Boise, special report about "Grandparents raising grandchildren due to meth".