Child Welfare in the News - March 16, 2011

CA: California adoption custody battle settlesSan Jose Mercury News March 15, 2011A spokeswoman for Stacey Doss said Tuesday that Doss will drop her petition to adopt baby Vanessa after a settlement was reached in an Ohio courtroom.
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_17618881?nclick_check=1

FL: Abuse Report Recommends Supervising HomeschoolersHome School Legal Defense Association March 15, 2011The Nubia Report special investigators recommended changing Florida law to mandate supervision of adoptive parents in a way that is not done, to our knowledge, anywhere else in this country. The proposal would enact a state law or rule to require adoptive parents to be visited on a regular basis simply if they decide to teach their children at home.
http://www.hslda.org/hs/state/fl/201103150.asp

FL: DCF investigator in Barahona case to appeal her firingPalm Beach Post March 16, 2011Fleary's attorney, Matthew Ladd, said in a statement that he would appeal the decision with the Public Employees Relations Commission.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/dcf-investigator-in-barahona-case-to-appeal-her-1323735.html

FL: Prescription drug abuse leads to spike in neglect cases, child protection investigators say
St. Petersburg Times March 14, 2011
Child neglect cases stemming from overuse are up, and many involve seemingly ... Child abuse investigators say cases of child abuse and neglect involving ... Office child protection investigation division saw child welfare court cases ...http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/article1157133.ece

IA: Guest opinion column: Bill addresses due rights in cases of child abuse
Des Moines Register March 15, 2011
The Legislature is moving forward with significant revisions to Iowa's child abuse registry. A bill is in process that attempts to reconcile two significant and divergent interests - protecting children while addressing the due process rights of Iowans.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20110315/OPINION/103150325/0/SPORTS020705/Guest-opinion-column-Bill-addresses-due-rights-cases-child-abuse?odyssey=mod_sectionstories

OR: Oregon House endorses bill requiring computer techs to report suspected child pornOregonLive.com March 15, 2011Computer technicians who discover child pornography will be required to report their suspicions under a bill that passed the Oregon House by unanimous vote Tuesday.
http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/03/oregon_house_endorses_bill_req.html

US: States' use of foster kids' benefits is assailed
Seattle Post Intelligencer March 15, 2011
With a lawsuit, congressional efforts and a stinging new report, critics of current foster-care policies are accusing child welfare agencies of unfairly confiscating foster youths' government benefits and undermining their prospects when they age out of the system.
http://www.seattlepi.com/national/1110ap_us_foster_care_dispute.html
Report available 03/16/2011 afternoon at www.caichildlaw.org


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