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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Scott Conklin |
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Bill to prevent parental child abduction closer to House vote
HARRISBURG, April 28 – Centre County state Rep. Scott Conklin announced that legislation he introduced aimed at preventing parental child abduction in Pennsylvania was approved by the House Judiciary Committee unanimously today.
"Parental child abduction is a tragic reality in the United States and across the world, and there are too few resources available to parents who are impacted by this crime," Conklin said.
House Bill 90 would create guidelines based on the federal Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act for courts in Pennsylvania to follow in custody disputes that involve a parent or guardian deemed at risk of abducting a child. Courts could consider risk factors such as a previous attempt or threat to abduct a child; an attempt to obtain a child's birth certificate, school or medical records; sudden applications for passports or visas; and strong family, financial or cultural ties to a foreign country.
In cases where a court deems that there is a risk of abduction, a parent could petition the court to order a number of anti-abduction measures, including restricting the travel of the child when with the other parent, restricting access to a child by the other parent, requiring the other parent to surrender any passport or visa held for the child and other measures.
Conklin said five other states already have enacted legislation based on the Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act, and at least four others have introduced similar bills this year.
The bill is expected to come before the House for full vote soon.
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