Bill Status of HB 2626   100th General Assembly

Short Description:  PARENTAL RIGHTS FOR THE BLIND

House Sponsors
Rep. Laura Fine-Robyn Gabel-Anna Moeller, Michelle Mussman, André Thapedi, Emily McAsey, Kelly M. Cassidy, Stephanie A. Kifowit, Kathleen Willis, Sue Scherer, Sam Yingling, Deb Conroy and Martin J. Moylan

Senate Sponsors
(Sen. Sue Rezin, John G. Mulroe-Patricia Van Pelt-Laura M. Murphy and Napoleon Harris, III)


Last Action  View All Actions

DateChamber Action
  8/11/2017HousePublic Act . . . . . . . . . 100-0075

Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
New Act

Synopsis As Introduced
Creates the Parental Rights for the Blind Act. Contains statements of legislative findings and purpose. Defines terms. Provides that a person's blindness shall not serve as a basis for denial or restriction of parenting time, the allocation of parental responsibilities, participation in adoption proceedings, foster care placement, or guardianship appointment. Provides that if a person's blindness is alleged to have a detrimental impact on a child, the party raising the allegation bears the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that the blindness endangers or will likely endanger the health, safety, or welfare of the child. Provides that if the burden is met, the person with blindness shall have the opportunity to demonstrate that the implementation of supportive parenting services will alleviate any concerns that have been raised. Provides that the court may require that the supportive parenting services be put in place, with an opportunity to review the need for continuation of the services within a reasonable period of time. Provides that if a court determines that a blind person's parental rights should be denied or limited in any manner, the court shall make specific written findings stating the basis for such a determination and why the provision of supportive parenting services is not a reasonable accommodation that must be made to prevent such denial or limitation.

House Floor Amendment No. 1
Provides that if a court determines that a blind person's parental rights should be denied or limited in any manner, the court shall make specific written findings stating why supportive parenting services cannot prevent the denial or limitation (instead of "why the provision of supportive parenting services is not a reasonable accommodation that must be made to prevent such denial or limitation"). Provides that the Department of Children and Family Services shall develop and implement procedures that ensure and provide equal access to child welfare services, programs, and activities in a nondiscriminatory manner and provide training to child welfare investigators and caseworkers on these procedures. Deletes language providing that: (1) if a person's blindness is alleged to have a detrimental impact on a child, the party raising the allegation bears the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that the blindness endangers or will likely endanger the health, safety, or welfare of the child; (2) if the burden is met, the person with blindness shall have the opportunity to demonstrate that the implementation of supportive parenting services will alleviate any concerns that have been raised; and (3) the court may require that the supportive parenting services be put in place, with an opportunity to review the need for continuation of the services within a reasonable period of time.

Actions 
DateChamber Action
  2/8/2017HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Laura Fine
  2/8/2017HouseFirst Reading
  2/8/2017HouseReferred to Rules Committee
  2/22/2017HouseAssigned to Judiciary - Civil Committee
  2/24/2017HouseTo Domestic Relations Law Subcommittee
  3/8/2017HouseRecommends Do Pass Subcommittee/ Judiciary - Civil Committee; 002-001-000
  3/8/2017HouseRemains in Judiciary - Civil Committee
  3/15/2017HouseDo Pass / Short Debate Judiciary - Civil Committee; 008-003-000
  3/15/2017HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
  4/5/2017HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Laura Fine
  4/5/2017HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
  4/6/2017HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Judiciary - Civil Committee
  4/6/2017HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Michelle Mussman
  4/6/2017HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Robyn Gabel
  4/6/2017HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Anna Moeller
  4/6/2017HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. André Thapedi
  4/6/2017HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Emily McAsey
  4/25/2017HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Judiciary - Civil Committee; 007-004-000
  4/25/2017HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy
  4/26/2017HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate
  4/26/2017HouseHeld on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate
  4/28/2017HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted
  4/28/2017HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
  4/28/2017HouseRemoved from Short Debate Status
  4/28/2017HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Standard Debate
  4/28/2017HouseThird Reading - Standard Debate - Passed 086-006-000
  4/28/2017HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Stephanie A. Kifowit
  4/28/2017HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Kathleen Willis
  4/28/2017HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Sue Scherer
  4/28/2017HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Sam Yingling
  4/28/2017HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Deb Conroy
  4/28/2017HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Martin J. Moylan
  5/2/2017SenateArrive in Senate
  5/2/2017SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of First Reading
  5/2/2017SenateChief Senate Sponsor Sen. Sue Rezin
  5/2/2017SenateFirst Reading
  5/2/2017SenateReferred to Assignments
  5/5/2017SenateAssigned to Judiciary
  5/12/2017SenateDo Pass Judiciary; 010-000-000
  5/12/2017SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 15, 2017
  5/12/2017SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. John G. Mulroe
  5/15/2017SenateSecond Reading
  5/15/2017SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 16, 2017
  5/18/2017SenateAdded as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Patricia Van Pelt
  5/19/2017SenateAdded as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura M. Murphy
  5/19/2017SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Napoleon Harris, III
  5/19/2017SenateThird Reading - Passed; 049-000-000
  5/19/2017HousePassed Both Houses
  6/16/2017HouseSent to the Governor
  8/11/2017HouseGovernor Approved
  8/11/2017HouseEffective Date January 1, 2018
  8/11/2017HousePublic Act . . . . . . . . . 100-0075

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