American Judicial Center for Excellence. RE: Cal. Bill AB 612 PAS Video
From: Kathleen Russell
Subject: Audio from PAS Hearing & CA Update
To: "Kathleen Russell"
Date: Friday, June 5, 2009, 2:36 AM
Hi Folks- Just thought I would share some news from the front lines in California.
We've posted the audio from our historic hearing on AB 612- the CA bill we've put forth to eliminate the use of Parental Alienation or other unscientific theories in family court. Thanks to all who made the trip- we had an AMAZING turnout that kept the bill alive, despite intentions to kill our bill in committee that day. The hearing lasts a little more than an hour- but if you have limited time, then just listen to the first 20 minutes to hear our 30+ supporters- protective mothers, a protective father, grandparents, a retired CPS social worker and various advocates- speak at the microphone about the ravages of PAS in family court.
The family law attorneys of the CA Bar actually quoted MLK Jr. in opposing our bill- calling it an injustice that will harm children and prolong custody cases!
We do not support the committee chair's amendment, and we are working closely and carefully to fix the bill in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The bill has not been slated for a hearing there yet, but it has reached the Senate, as it just passed the Assembly floor on an 80-0 vote last week. We can (and will) ask our bill author and absolute champion of protective parents, Assemblymember Jim Beall (D-San Jose), to pull the bill from consideration at any time in the process if we are unable to fix it.
Listen to the hearing here- http://centerforjudicialexcellence.org/1%20AB%20612%20MP3.mp3
We should have video footage soon from last week's Select Committee on Domestic Violence hearing with Assemblymember Fiona Ma and Assemblyman Jim Beall, who made televised commitments to work with us to fix the family court problems in the next 3 1/2 years that they are in the Assembly. Numerous litigants testified at that hearing (including Joyce Murphy from La Jolla, whose ex was just jailed for child sex crimes against 3 girls) about the horrors of their family court experiences, which were televised on the California version of our CSPAN across Capitol offices for all to see. That hearing was rebroadcast on cable TV twice the following Sunday. After one year of repeatedly prodding them, the Bay Area ABC7News station finally sent their investigative TV crew to tape the entire DV hearing, and we are working with the reporter to frame a story about the crisis, which she now gets and understands as a "real problem that deserves coverage."
Assemblywoman Fiona Ma has promised to introduce a bill coming out of last week's hearing, likely one that will give children a voice in family court, as well as some say in the work of their minor's counsel. We are awaiting the actual language of her bill.
Senator Mark Leno's proposed audit of the family court in Marin and Sacramento County was postponed until a June 24th hearing. The CA Judicial Council has come out in official opposition to our request. Stay tuned for more details.
We have two screenings of the family court crisis film at community forums in the next week- one in Sonoma County, and one in Alameda County- and we're finally getting some press interest at long last. Two radio interviews at small local stations today and tomorrow. Hopefully more next week, when TV star Nancy Lee Grahn will be coming to Oakland to help draw out the media once again! Any California litigants who want to come to Oakland to testify, please please do come, as the entire afternoon from 1-6pm will be devoted to litigant testimony (4 mins each) and general advice from a slate of phenomenal family law attorneys about how to maneuver your way through the system. Check the CJE website for frequent updates and event/hearing agendas.
California Protective Parents, Child Abuse Solutions and the Safe Child Coalition are fabulous allies in this seemingly never-ending struggle. Onward!
Thanks- Kathleen
Kathleen Russell
W 415-459-9211, Ext. 28
C 415-250-1180
http://www.kathleenrussell.com
Telling Stories, Moving Mountains
Subject: Audio from PAS Hearing & CA Update
To: "Kathleen Russell"
Date: Friday, June 5, 2009, 2:36 AM
Hi Folks- Just thought I would share some news from the front lines in California.
We've posted the audio from our historic hearing on AB 612- the CA bill we've put forth to eliminate the use of Parental Alienation or other unscientific theories in family court. Thanks to all who made the trip- we had an AMAZING turnout that kept the bill alive, despite intentions to kill our bill in committee that day. The hearing lasts a little more than an hour- but if you have limited time, then just listen to the first 20 minutes to hear our 30+ supporters- protective mothers, a protective father, grandparents, a retired CPS social worker and various advocates- speak at the microphone about the ravages of PAS in family court.
The family law attorneys of the CA Bar actually quoted MLK Jr. in opposing our bill- calling it an injustice that will harm children and prolong custody cases!
We do not support the committee chair's amendment, and we are working closely and carefully to fix the bill in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The bill has not been slated for a hearing there yet, but it has reached the Senate, as it just passed the Assembly floor on an 80-0 vote last week. We can (and will) ask our bill author and absolute champion of protective parents, Assemblymember Jim Beall (D-San Jose), to pull the bill from consideration at any time in the process if we are unable to fix it.
Listen to the hearing here- http://centerforjudicialexcellence.org/1%20AB%20612%20MP3.mp3
We should have video footage soon from last week's Select Committee on Domestic Violence hearing with Assemblymember Fiona Ma and Assemblyman Jim Beall, who made televised commitments to work with us to fix the family court problems in the next 3 1/2 years that they are in the Assembly. Numerous litigants testified at that hearing (including Joyce Murphy from La Jolla, whose ex was just jailed for child sex crimes against 3 girls) about the horrors of their family court experiences, which were televised on the California version of our CSPAN across Capitol offices for all to see. That hearing was rebroadcast on cable TV twice the following Sunday. After one year of repeatedly prodding them, the Bay Area ABC7News station finally sent their investigative TV crew to tape the entire DV hearing, and we are working with the reporter to frame a story about the crisis, which she now gets and understands as a "real problem that deserves coverage."
Assemblywoman Fiona Ma has promised to introduce a bill coming out of last week's hearing, likely one that will give children a voice in family court, as well as some say in the work of their minor's counsel. We are awaiting the actual language of her bill.
Senator Mark Leno's proposed audit of the family court in Marin and Sacramento County was postponed until a June 24th hearing. The CA Judicial Council has come out in official opposition to our request. Stay tuned for more details.
We have two screenings of the family court crisis film at community forums in the next week- one in Sonoma County, and one in Alameda County- and we're finally getting some press interest at long last. Two radio interviews at small local stations today and tomorrow. Hopefully more next week, when TV star Nancy Lee Grahn will be coming to Oakland to help draw out the media once again! Any California litigants who want to come to Oakland to testify, please please do come, as the entire afternoon from 1-6pm will be devoted to litigant testimony (4 mins each) and general advice from a slate of phenomenal family law attorneys about how to maneuver your way through the system. Check the CJE website for frequent updates and event/hearing agendas.
California Protective Parents, Child Abuse Solutions and the Safe Child Coalition are fabulous allies in this seemingly never-ending struggle. Onward!
Thanks- Kathleen
Kathleen Russell
W 415-459-9211, Ext. 28
C 415-250-1180
http://www.kathleenrussell.com
Telling Stories, Moving Mountains
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