A lawyer says the state should protect children by checking to make sure their prospective guardians have not committed a felony.
Attorney Robert Aldridge told the Associated Press that an increasing number of grandparents are gaining custody of their grandchildren because of drug problems across the state.
He said the Idaho court system should be required to look at the criminal history of a potential guardian and anyone living in or visiting the home.
The guardian felony bill he has proposed would also require guardians for those who are incapacitated or elderly to go through the same criminal history check.
Aldridge told Senate Judiciary Committee members that the bill would provide early warning of children or incapacitated adults who could be in potentially harmful situations. The committee passed the bill; it goes now to the full Senate.
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Lawyer wants ID courts to vet guardian backgrounds
Attorney Robert Aldridge told the Associated Press that an increasing number of grandparents are gaining custody of their grandchildren because of drug problems across the state.
He said the Idaho court system should be required to look at the criminal history of a potential guardian and anyone living in or visiting the home.
The guardian felony bill he has proposed would also require guardians for those who are incapacitated or elderly to go through the same criminal history check.
Aldridge told Senate Judiciary Committee members that the bill would provide early warning of children or incapacitated adults who could be in potentially harmful situations. The committee passed the bill; it goes now to the full Senate.
Full Article and Source:
Lawyer wants ID courts to vet guardian backgrounds
I have issues with this criminal background check. I believe relatives deserve a right to first consideration regardless of whether they have had some misconduct of law. Each case should be considered individually.
ReplyDeleteI think the criminal background check is a begining, tho.
ReplyDeleteHelen, you're right, family first.
Wait, you're really right - rather than support criminal back ground checks, the conversation should be diverted to family first!
Good approach!