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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Scott Conklin |
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Conklin bill to prevent parental child abduction passes house
HARRISBURG, May 11 – Centre County state Rep. Scott Conklin announced that a measure he sponsored aimed at preventing parental child abduction in Pennsylvania was passed unanimously by the state House today.
"This legislation will aid parents throughout the state for whom the issue of parental child abduction is a tragic reality and for too long were without resources," 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 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
This bill now moves to the state Senate for consideration.
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