Shared parenting is in committee in WA state...need your help!

[minicoopsmom]

A bill on shared parenting is under consideration, yet again, in the Human Services and Corrections Committee in the legislature in Washington state.

I posted about this last year...and the bill was held up in committee. Now its up for a vote again, let's not let this committee hold this bill hostage!

If they ask you if you are a constituent, you can say, "that's not the issue here, the point is that this bill should have been passed out of committee last year and needs to be moved onto the floor for a vote by ALL the legislature this year! This committee must take my comments and put this bill to a vote NOW!"

What you can do:

The following are the 1st steps that we can all take to let people know that we support shared parenting.

We have till Friday at 8 am to make an impact!

1) Pick up your telephone and call each and every one of the senators on the list below and also contact the committee hot line. Call their phone numbers, fax them and then click on the links by their names to send them an email.

If they ask you if you are a constituent, you can say, "that's not the issue here, the point is that this bill should have been passed out of committee last year and needs to be moved onto the floor for a vote by ALL the legislature this year! This committee must take my comments and put this bill to a vote NOW!"

I've attached a form letter here that you can copy and add your own experience and comments to if you choose.

Human Services & Corrections Committee - Telephone: 1-800-562-6000 http://www.leg.wa.gov/Senate/Committees/HSC

James Hargrove - Chair (D) (360) 786-7646 http://www.leg.wa.gov/Senate/hargrove

Debbie Regala - Vice Chair (D) (360) 786-7652 http://www.leg.wa.gov/Senate/regala

Val Stevens - Ranking Minority Member (R) (360) 786-7676 http://www.leg.wa.gov/Senate/stevens

Dale Brandland (R) (360) 786-7682 http://www.leg.wa.gov/Senate/brandland

Mike Carrell (bill co-sponsor and major supporter, tell this senator THANKS!!) (R) (360) 786-7654 http://www.leg.wa.gov/Senate/carrell

Chris Marr (D) (360) 786-7610 http://www.leg.wa.gov/Senate/marr

Rosemary McAuliffe (D) (360) 786-7600 http://www.leg.wa.gov/Senate/mcauliffe

THEN contact your friends and family and ask them to do the same!

The more calls, faxes and emails they get, the better they will hear our voices and understand the benefits shared parenting offers families in Washington state (and the less chance that they will table this bill and not vote on it again this year.)!

Senate Bill 5234 http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5234
is being heard on January 26 in Olympia at 8AM, in the Cherberg Senate Building. You can come to the capital and sit in the audience or you may choose to testify to tell your story to the legislators on how shared parenting could impact your family.

A companion bill in the house has yet to be introduced but is expected as early as next week, once that ball is in play, I will have you do the exact same steps for the House bill, to a different committee.

Shared Parenting Works;Children Need Both Parents!

In Solidarity,
Minicoopsmom

------------------- Form letter ----------------------

[Your Name]
[Street Address]
[City, ST ZIP Code]
(DATE)
[Recipient Name]
[Title]
Dear [Recipient Name]:
The time has come to vote on SB5234 and encourage shared parental responsibility in child custody arrangements.
This bill holds tremendous opportunity to do what is right to serve children -- and to help families and parents retain their rights.
Shared parenting reduces divorce, lessens teen pregnancy, decreases poverty, limits high school drop outs, and helps allay numerous other social ills, as well as, seriously cutting the cost of divorce and child custody, which in turn, saves money for children and families.
States across the nation are working toward similar legislation of this nature. All current studies are demonstrating the best interests of the children are to have equal access with both parents.
Shared parenting works; children need both parents.

Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,