Family Law Section

Minutes March 14, 2007

MEETING MINUTES FAMILY LAW SECTION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

March 14, 2007
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PRESENT: Christina Miller, Adam Caldwell, Doug Adair, Rick Hummel, Kellie Williams, Stewart Ralphs, Comm. Blomquist, Russ Minas, Adam Caldwell, Al Pranno, Charlotte Meacham, Louise Knauer, Harry Caston. Guest: Connie Howard

Approval of Minutes. The minutes from the February 2007 meeting were unanimously approved as drafted.

Legislative Update. Stewart walked through the family law bills that passed as follows:

HB15 - Driver’s License Privilege Suspension for Failure to Pay Child Support (establishes a procedure for the Office of Recovery Services to order an administrative suspension of a person's driving privileges when the person is in arrears on a child support obligation);

HB 18 - Child Support Collection Amendment (Allows the Office of Recovery Services to enter into agreements with obligors for electronic payment of child support.);

HB 51 - Adoption Amendments (Modifies and clarifies requirements necessary for an unmarried biological father to preserve his right to notice and consent for an adoption; modifies requirements relating to notice of an adoption proceeding; describes the circumstances under which an adoption may or may not be contested);

HB 92 Amended - Adoption of Adults (Describes the requirements, disclosures for adoption of adults);

HB 128 1st Sub. – Divorce Orientation (Creates Petition for Temporary Separation, $25 fee can be credited if divorce filed later. Requires parties to attend divorce orientation class to educate parties about divorce process and alternatives);

HB 133 - Parent Time Amendments (Provides for one overnight for children 12-18 months, adds Halloween to the holiday schedule;

HB 328 - Child Protection and Parental Rights Amendments (Child interviews may be conducted without recording the interview and without a support person present. Allows for placement with friend if licensed as foster parent and provides for expedited licensing of such friend. Provides that child shall be present at hearings and be able to testify);

HB 343 - Foster Placement and Adoption Amendments (Establishes priority for placement of a child with a married man and woman or single person. Prohibits taking religion into account unless placement person is of the same religion as the child);

SB 14 - Family Employment Program Amendments (Modifies eligibility requirements for receiving cash assistance benefits under the Family Employment Program administered by the Employment Development Division of the Department of Workforce Services);

SB 23 2nd Sub. - Child Support Amendments (Recalculates and updates the child support table amounts to $100,000 combined monthly income, provides for delayed implementation of new guidelines to Jan 1, 2008, and use old guidelines to modify existing orders until Jan 1, 2010.

SB 35 – Uniform Child Abduction Prevention (Sets guidelines for judges to determine when a child is at risk for abduction; requires a party to file a petition with the court specifying risk factors that might lead to an abduction. Addresses specific issues for international abductions; and allows a court to issue a warrant to take immediate physical custody of a child it determines is at risk for abduction);

Monthly CLE Luncheons. Kellie Williams will speak about the new child support guidelines at the March 30 luncheon.

Annual Seminar. The Annual Seminar committee has pretty much filled the slots. The seminar is on for Friday May 11, 2007 at Law & Justice Center and will be available by simulcast. The EC voted to allow law student volunteers from the family law clinic to have free admission to the annual seminar.

Connie Howard spoke about the history of division of revenue from out annual seminar and other section/bar sponsored events and proposed a 70/30 split in revenue for this year’s seminar, (the section receiving the 70%). The EC unanimously approved this proposal.
Annual Meeting. Steve Gunn is continuing to serve on the Annual Convention committee. The family law section will be responsible for two breakout sessions. No decision on topics and speakers so far.

Funding Requests Russ withdrew his request for reimbursement for the ABA Section of Family Law Spring Conference, but will continue to work on guidelines for use of section funds for travel and expenses to ABA and other relevant family law events.

The EC discussed the idea of a domestic law scholarship for law students. Harry volunteered to put together the scholarship criteria

Next Meeting. Wednesday, April 11, 2007 – Noon – Law & Justice Center Boardroom

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

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