Parental rights in jeopardy: Call Governor Perry t

[Newman]

Originally Posted by Esther

Parental rights in jeopardy: Call Governor Perry today!

June 17, 2009
Dear Betty,
In a slick, last-minute move, dangerous language was tacked on as an amendment SB 1440, a bill which was just a simple two-line bill about a judge's signature in child abuse cases. This language, added on the last days of the legislative session, adds over 3 additional pages to this bill and strips parents of fundamental constitutional parental rights. That is why we are asking you to call Gov. Perry and ask him to VETO SB 1440!

SB 1440 allows Department of Family & Protective Services (DFPS) to enter your home and take your child from you where ever your child can be found, without prior notice, without a prior hearing, without a search warrant for an "interview, examination, and investigation." The law previously required a showing of "good cause." This requirement has now been eliminated under SB 1440.
This series of attacks on your family can take place "based on information available"-which could be an anonymous caller who believes "abuse" or "neglect" "may be" taking place in the home. This unconstitutional law can also be used to access your child's medical records, without your consent, against your objections, and without prior notice.
Read the letter to Governor Perry from Texas Homeschool Coalition. This letter clearly outlines the danger in this bill.
Take Action!
Call Governor Rick Perry today and ask him to veto SB 1440. His office number is (512) 463-2000.

THIS IS WHY I was screaming at the top of my lungs about the Texas polygamists kids being taken without the normal protection of law. And so now it has come to this. Unbelievable.

[Pressing-On]

McCown's support of SB 1440

McCown, Sperry, Garcia-Matthews, McClure & Kroll: Aid child abuse investigations

Right now, CPS cannot ask for an order to aid an investigation on a Sunday. But child abuse happens then, too. This new bill turns an old, cumbersome process for asking for court orders into an efficient process to make sure CPS investigates possible abuse quickly.

The Legislature carefully reviewed this bill and bent over backward to safeguard parental rights while ensuring the safety of our children...

http://www.statesman.com/opinion/con...cown_edit.html

Rebuttal by Richard Wexler:

Wexler: Texas Supreme Court clarified child protection laws, but SB1440 undermines them

In fact, the clarifying was done a year ago by the Texas Supreme Court when it ruled that CPS broke the law when it tore more than 400 children from their families, who were members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

What the court said, in effect, is that the power to do all that to a child on a judge’s say-so, without even a hearing, is an emergency power, to be used only if the risk to the child is so immediate that there is no alternative but to burst through the door first and ask questions later. Indeed, if a child truly is at imminent risk of harm, authorities can go in with no order at all — and, contrary to McCown’s claim, they can do that on any day of the week, even Sunday.

As a practical matter, since no judge wants to look soft on child abuse, CPS could get orders whenever it wanted, regardless of whether it was a real emergency. Indeed, CPS says the way it behaved in the FLDS case is how it behaves in every case.

But, because the FLDS case was so huge, the issue got unusual scrutiny — and the families got high-quality legal help not available to most of the overwhelmingly poor families caught in the CPS net. So the issue reached the Supreme Court, which reminded CPS of what the law actually requires.

The real purpose of SB 1440 is to undermine that ruling.

http://www.star-telegram.com/245/story/1442262.html

Governor Perry - (512) 463-2000

http://www.governor.state.tx.us/contact/

[Pressing-On]

VETOED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Moments ago I received a phone call from Governor Perry's office to let us know that he will announce shortly that he is going to veto SB 1440. He has heard the outcry from parents all over Texas (and many other parts of the country) and is responding.

Please join me in writing notes and send messages of thanks and appreciation to Governor Perry for this great action on behalf of the children and parents of Texas. The media will be notified shortly, and I'm certain that many will attack the governor for this action. It is important for us to let him know how much we appreciate his response. - Texas Home School Coalition Association

[Sinatra]

Wonderful news!!!Praise God!! Thanks for the update.

Sinatra

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

VETOED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Moments ago I received a phone call from Governor Perry's office to let us know that he will announce shortly that he is going to veto SB 1440. He has heard the outcry from parents all over Texas (and many other parts of the country) and is responding.

Please join me in writing notes and send messages of thanks and appreciation to Governor Perry for this great action on behalf of the children and parents of Texas. The media will be notified shortly, and I'm certain that many will attack the governor for this action. It is important for us to let him know how much we appreciate his response. - Texas Home School Coalition Association

[Esther]

Great news!