This week the Family Law Committee met to pass nine bills out of committee. The bills came from two study committees that met last summer to address issues related to minor guardianship and child placement and support.
Among the bills passed, was Assembly Bill 95, legislation that I previously introduced to allow divorced parents who are aware of a future event that will affect placement, to enter into an agreement to adjust the placement schedule when that event occurs without returning to court. For example, placement schedules often change once a child begins school. However, current law requires parents to return to court to change the placement schedule within two years of the initial judgment.
This bill lessens the likelihood for litigation by reducing the number of times parents need to go to court for placement agreements. In the past, anytime parents needed to adjust placement for events that were expected to arise in the future, they had to go before a judge to finalize the new terms regardless if both parents were already in agreement. This bill eliminates that step by allowing parents to agree to new placement terms prior to the future event taking place.
I’m looking forward to the bill passing the Assembly this fall.
Raising Awareness for Suicide Prevention
This week marks National Suicide Prevention Week across the country. The week is dedicated to raising awareness and educating the public on the warning signs of someone at risk.
If you know someone at risk call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in Wisconsin increasing by 40 percent from 2000 to 2017.
Later this year, the Speaker’s Task Force on Suicide Prevention will conclude its work by releasing a report with legislative recommendations aimed at reducing suicide rates in Wisconsin.
Rep. Rodriguez State Capitol, Room 204 N PO Box 8953 Madison, WI 53708 Toll-Free (888) 534-0021 or (608) 266-0610 Rep.Rodriguez@legis.wi.gov| Read Online |
