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MINUTES OF THE
SENATE JUDICIARY, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
STANDING COMMITTEE
Tuesday, February 10, 2004
Room 414, STATE CAPITOL BUILDING



Members Present:        Sen. Gregory Bell, Chair
            Sen. Patrice M. Arent
            Sen. D. Chris Buttars
            Sen. Mike Dmitrich
            Sen. Lyle W. Hillyard

Members Excused:        Sen. James M. Evans
            Sen. David L. Gladwell
            Sen. L. Al Mansell
        
Staff Present:        Jami Momberger, Policy Analyst
            Saundra Maeser, Committee Secretary

Public Speakers Present:    Ron Karren, Citizen
            Robin Arnold-Williams, Executive Director, Dept. of Human Services
            Bonnie Macri, Executive Director, JEDI Women
            Cliff Swenson, Division of Child & Family Services
            Bill Barnes, Primary Children's Medical Center
            Thomas Rogers, Citizen
            Steve Russell, Attorney
            Adam Tripp, Division of Child & Family Services
            Mark May, Attorney General's Office
            Barbara Feester, U Foster Success
            Lisa Burly, Mother

A list of visitors is filed with the committee minutes.

Committee Chair Bell called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m.
        
1.     Approval of Minutes

     MOTION: Sen. Arent moved to approve the minutes of February 6, 2004.

    The motion passed unanimously, with Sen. Dmitrich absent for the vote.

2.    S.B. 54S1 Restructuring Division of Child and Family Services (P. Hellewell)

    Sen. Parley Hellewell introduced the bill, assisted by Ron Karren, Citizen.




    The following spoke in support of the bill:
    Bonnie Macri, JEDI Women
    Thomas Rogers, Citizen

    The following spoke in opposition to the bill:
    Robin Arnold Williams, Executive Director, Dept. of Human Services
    Cliff Swenson, Division of Child & Family Services
    Bill Barnes, Primary Children's Medical Center

     MOTION: Sen. Arent moved to hold S.B. 54S1 until the next meeting and to move to the     next item on the agenda.
    
    Sen. Bell stated no vote was needed and the committee moved to the next item on the     agenda.

3.    S.B. 81 Child and Family Services - Plea in Abeyance (P. Hellewell)

    Sen. Hellewell introduced the bill, assisted by Steve Russell, Attorney.

    Adam Tripp, Division of Child & Family Services spoke to the bill.

     MOTION: Sen. Buttars moved to pass S.B. 81 out with a favorable recommendation.

    The motion passed unanimously, with Sen. Dmitrich and Sen. Hillyard absent for the vote.

4.    S.B. 104 Selection of Mental Health Therapist in Termination of Parental Rights (P.     Hellewell)

    Sen. Hellewell introduced the bill, assisted by Steve Russell.

     MOTION: Sen. Arent moved to pass S.B. 104 out with a favorable recommendation.

    The motion passed unanimously, with Sen. Dmitrich and Sen. Hillyard absent for the vote.

5.    S.B. 103 Child Removal Amendments (P. Hellewell)

    Sen. Hellewell introduced the bill, assisted by Steve Russell.

    The following spoke in support of the bill:
    Mark May, Attorney General's Office
    Lisa Burly, Mother

    Barbara Feester, U Foster Success, spoke in opposition to the bill



     MOTION: Sen. Arent moved to amend S.B. 103 as follows:

1.    Page 2, Lines 48 through 50 :    

             48      proper parental care and protection. Under those circumstances, the welfare and protection of
             49      children is
[[   [   ]] the consideration of paramount importance      [[   ]   ]]      [[   balanced against the rights of the

             50      parent or guardian of the children and the integrity of the family  
]]
.
    
    The motion passed unanimously, with Sen. Dmitrich and Sen. Hillyard absent for the vote.

     MOTION: Sen. Buttars moved to pass S.B. 103 out, as amended, with a favorable recommendation.

    The motion passed unanimously, with Sen. Dmitrich and Sen. Hillyard absent for the vote.

     MOTION: Sen. Buttars moved to adjourn.

    The motion passed unanimously, with Sen. Dmitrich and Sen. Hillyard absent for the vote.
    
    Committee Chair Bell adjourned the meeting at 6:00 p.m.

    Minutes recorded by Saundra Maeser, Secretary




Sen. Gregory S. Bell, Committee Chair