press release......
For Immediate Release
March 26, 2004 For Interviews Contact:
Senator Val Stevens (360) 786-7630
Feedback:
[email protected]
OLYMPIA…Families have gained extra help today as the governor signed Senate Bill 6642 and Senate Bill 6643, which are designed to reunite families faster. The governor also signed Senate Bill 5083, which allows the state to recognize other state’s concealed pistol license (CPL).
“When a child is removed from the home, parents are shocked and are in a state of disbelief,†said Sen. Val Stevens, R-Arlington and prime sponsor of all three bills. “It is difficult from them to understand what they need to do to get the children back, and oftentimes it is something very simple.
“Social services have meetings to help parents, but for several reasons they are not happening,†Stevens added. “Families can help each other better and faster than any government service we can provide.â€
SB 6642 improves the case conference process to ensure the children are returned as quickly as possible. In addition, SB 6643 prevents a judge from limiting visitation rights between parents and children. Some judges prevented visitations to motivate parents to comply with court orders.
“Families need every chance we can give them to come back together,†Stevens said. “The only exception to the bill is if the child’s health, safety or welfare could be at risk.â€
SB 5083 has the attorney general’s office maintain a list of states that recognize Washington’s CPL. If a state follows the same strict guidelines as Washington and recognizes Washington’s CPL, then Washington will accept the other state’s license.
“I believe that people who wish to defend themselves should be given the opportunity to carry and bear arms even when traveling between states,†Stevens said. “It’s been an unfair practice of not honoring other state’s CPLs, and t needed to be corrected.â€
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Bobby
