Sponsor Statement for SS for HB 366

"An Act prohibiting a court from finding that a minor is a child in need of aid solely on the basis that the child’s family is poor, lacks adequate housing, or lives a lifestyle that is different from the generally accepted lifestyle standard of the community where the family lives."

HB 366 prohibits an agency from using the status of being poor, homeless, or lives a lifestyle that is different from the generally accepted lifestyle standard of the community where the family lives 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 based on the status of the parents. Being poor or homeless does not automatically indicate that the child is being harmed or neglected. A family living in a shelter for the homeless or camping out may be doing quite well at parenting. Living on a boat or being vegetarian may be considered "weird" or "odd" by some, but it does not automatically mean that a child is being harmed.

This bill is designed to mandate that any agency must demonstrate that the child is harmed or in significant danger before taking a child into protective custody.

Last updated 05-08-98

Sponsor Statement for SS for HB 366

An Act Relating to Child-in-Need-of-Aid Proceedings

HB 366 prohibits an agency from using the status of being poor, homeless, or lives a lifestyle that is different from the generally accepted lifestyle standard of the community where the family lives 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 based on the status of the parents. Being poor or homeless does not automatically indicate that the child is being harmed or neglected. A family living in a shelter for the homeless or camping out may be doing quite well at parenting. Living on a boat or being vegetarian may be considered "weird" or "odd" by some, but it does not automatically mean that a child is being harmed.

This bill is designed to mandate that any agency must demonstrate that the child is harmed or in significant danger before taking a child into protective custody.

Last updated 03-24-98

Sponsor Statement for HB 366

"An Act relating to child-in-need-of-aid proceedings for a child whose family is homeless or poor."

HB 366 prohibits an agency from using the status of being poor or homeless 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 based on the status of the parents. Being poor or homeless does not automatically indicate that the child is being harmed or neglected. A family living in a shelter for the homeless or camping out may be doing quite well at parenting.

This bill is designed to mandate that any agency must demonstrate that the child is harmed or in significant danger before taking a child into protective custody.