Alaska State Legislature
News from the House Majority

Jerry Ritter, House Majority Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone: (907) 465-3804
web site: http://www.akrepublicans.org
Actuality line: 1-800-478-6540

House Clarifies "Child in Need of Aid" Proceedings

Lifestyle Does Not Equate to Quality of Parenting

For Immediate Release April 15, 1998 Contact: Rep. Fred Dyson (907) at 465-2199.

Juneau -- The Alaska House of Representatives Wednesday unanimously passed House Bill 366. The measure prohibits an agency from using a family's status of being poor or homeless or living a lifestyle that is different from the generally accepted standard of the community as the sole reason for determining that a child is in need of aid.

"Children must not be removed from the custody of their parents simply because of the parents' status," said the bill's sponsor, Representative Fred Dyson (R-Eagle River). "Being poor or homeless does not automatically indicate that a child is being harmed or neglected," Dyson said.

HB 366 mandates that any agency must demonstrate that a child has been harmed or is in significant danger before it can take that child into custody.

"A family living in a shelter for the homeless or camping out may be doing quite well at parenting," Dyson said. "Living on a boat or being a vegetarian can be considered "wierd" or "odd" by some, but it does not automatically mean that a child is being harmed," Dyson said.

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Broadcasters note: Comments are available by calling the House Majority Actuality Line at (800) 478-6540.
= Fred Dyson, 51 K