Adoption Improvements
Recommended |
On Wednesday, the Speaker’s Task Force on
Adoption issued a preliminary report including recommendations
we have for improving adoption in Wisconsin for parents and
adoptees. It was incredibly moving to hear personal stories from
constituents and folks across the state on this issue, and I’m confident
we can advance bipartisan legislation to address these
concerns.
My primary focus will be on
legislation that ensures the safety of children as quickly as
possible, especially in situations involving drugs, and reducing
the bureaucracy and costs associated with adoption.
Here is a summary of the report
recommendations:
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Create grounds for Child in Need of
Protection or Services (CHIPS) determination based on drugs
-
Require courts to conduct the first
review of a permanency plan
-
Support court employment of
permanency counselors
-
Modify the continuing CHIPS grounds
and create additional grounds for involuntary Termination of
Parental Rights (TPR)
-
Allow for a TPR motion as part of a
CHIPS or Juvenile In need of Protection or Services (JIPS)
proceeding
-
Create a parental right to counsel in
a CHIPS or JIPS proceeding
-
Eliminate the right to a jury trial
in TPR proceedings
-
Require a TPR appellant to
participate in an appeal
-
Make foster parents parties in the
proceedings to change placement
-
Modify the law regarding placement
with relatives
-
Permit postadoption contact
agreements
-
Expand eligibility for adoption
assistance
You can read the full report online here:
https://legis.wisconsin.gov/2019/committees/assembly/adoption/media/1107/adopt_task_force_interim.pdf
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Evers Error Means New
Election Date |
As I mentioned in last week’s newsletter, I
was disappointed that Gov. Evers chose to schedule a special
congressional election over the holidays. Recent news shows that
the dates he selected also violated federal law requiring enough
time for overseas military ballots to be received. I’m happy
this error was caught early enough for the election to be
rescheduled.
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World Mental Health Day |
Thursday, October 10th is World Mental
Health Day. The day was created in 1995 as a way to promote
mental health education, awareness and advocacy against the
social stigma associated with mental illness.
In recognition of this day,
please visit the website for the Speaker’s Task Force on Suicide
Prevention, which is a working to address a growing issue
associated with mental health.
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Applications Open for
Winnebago Coroner |
The Governor’s Office is now accepting
applications for the Winnebago County Coroner position that will
become vacant on October 31.
Application materials must be received no
later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 8, 2019. Interested
applicants must submit an online application with a cover letter
detailing professional and academic qualifications, civic
activities, and community involvement. The application can be
found online here by clicking
“Apply” in the center of the page, scrolling to the bottom
of the page and clicking “Click here to apply for the Register
of Deeds, Coroner or Sheriff positions.”
If the online application is not
functioning, please send a cover letter and resume to
govappointments@wisconsin.gov. Potential applicants with
questions about the application process may contact Flora
Csontos, Director of Gubernatorial Appointments, at (608)
267-3675.
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JFC Approves Suicide
Hotline and UW Funding |
On Wednesday, the Joint Finance Committee
authorized $110,000 for the Suicide Hotline in the current
fiscal year. The committee also authorized funding for the UW
System Dairy Innovation Hub and $45 million for UW System
dedicated toward outcomes-based funding.
Funding for all three items was approved in
the state budget and the committee was able to authorize release
of the funding now since plans for its expenditure have been
submitted and vetted.
To learn more about the
Dairy
Innovation Hub, click on the photo above that links to a
video.
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Capitol Visitors |
While I was at another meeting, my staffer, Diane, met with
members of some of Wisconsin's great fraternal organizations
from our area to discuss insurance and community activism
issues.
Constituents Dave Certa and Joanna
Lofenburg visited the Capitol to discuss the possibility of an
Article V Constitutional convention of states to address a
balanced federal budget and Congressional term limits.
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Upcoming Events |
Check out upcoming events near us by visiting the
Wisconsin Tourism website or
https://appletondowntown.org/upcoming-events/
and if you run into me while
you’re out and about be sure to stop and say hi! |
"Like" Representative
Murphy's Facebook Page
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I have a Facebook page so I can continually engage with you on
important topics facing the state. Please like it by
clicking here! I use Facebook to update constituents more frequently on
my work in Madison and the 56th Assembly District. I look forward to
using this as another way to connect with constituents and encourage you to follow it and watch for
regular updates.
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"Like" Representative Murphy's
Official Facebook Page
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Welcome!
I live in Greenville, but have an
office at the State Capitol in Madison. If you are in
downtown Madison, please feel free to stop by and say
hello! Just go to the information desk in the rotunda,
and they can direct you on how to find my office, 318
North. At the bottom of each e-update, you'll see my
office contact information.
If your school or group plans to tour the Capitol
building, please let me know in advance. I'd
love to visit with you for a few minutes and take a
group photo.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.
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