Posted on 02/07/2003 10:22:29 AM PST by Gopher Broke
"No More Secrets ... Get Parents Back in the Loop!"
THE FAMILY FOUNDATION OF VIRGINIA
E-MAIL ALERT NET
Date: Friday, February 7, 2003
Fr: Victoria Cobb, Director of Legislative Affairs
Action Alert: "No More Secrets ... Get Parents Back in the Loop!"
House Bill 1499, sponsored by Del. L. Scott Lingamfelter (R-31, Woodbridge), passed the House of Delegates last week with strong bi-partisan support. Now, the Senate Committee on Education and Health will hear the bill after it passes sub-committee review.
HB 1499 recognizes a parent's right to be involved in the life of the child, especially when the child receives such significant health services. Currently, a minor child receives SECRET treatment. Parents are kept unaware; therefore, without any knowledge, there is no subsequent opportunity to be involved. We must get parents back in the loop!
Certain members of this committee have suggested their support for this piece of pro-family legislation; however, they need much encouragement and support for this bill to succeed in committee.
HB 1499 is an innovative measure, which, if passed, marks the first time in Virginia history where a parents right to know and be involved with their children is upheld. Since this is an inaugural piece of legislation and the Senate Committee on Education and Health track record has historically not been family-friendly, the voices of Virginia's pro-family citizens must be heard.
The medical community and other health care entities oppose this legislation because they fear that children will not seek treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, venereal disease, and chemical abortifacient medicine if their parents know. Their communities would prefer that these children get secret treatment to enable them to return to the very behavior patterns, which brought them to the clinic in the first place! Never mind the fact that reputable medical journals support the principle that parental involvement has a positive impact on correcting a young child's behavior.
The Family Foundation of Virginia believes that parents are the best medicine for these situations. HB 1499 will help "get parents back in the loop!" It is this critical involvement that will rebuild our society starting with its most fundamental of building blocks: the family.
AT ODDS WITH THE GOVERNOR AGAIN!
Despite the fact that HB 1499 passed the House with bi-partisan support, the Governor strongly opposes HB 1499. This opposition from his administration is odd considering Governor Warner recently noted that parental notification for abortion is good for Virginia families. In the Governor's own words regarding current notification laws: "We've had parental notification on the books for a few years. I've not seen, and I've followed this fairly closely, but I've not seen any evidence that parental notification hasn't been effective in involving parents in that most difficult of all decisions." HB 1499 would challenge the Governor to support parental rights and mark a positive change to the current system where a child is treated secretly and enabled to continue pursuing promiscuous or other dangerous behaviors.
HB 1499 must pass the Senate Committee on Education and Health with the endorsement of the parents and families of Virginia. After a hard fought victory in the House, we need to encourage the committee members to send a strong message to the full Senate!
TAKE ACTION!!
PLEASE CONTACT THESE SENATORS AND TELL THEM TO VOTE YES ON HOUSE BILL 1499:
Senator Harry Blevins (R-14, Chesapeake) 804-698-7514 click here
Senator Bill Mims (R-33, Leesburg) 804-698-7533 click here
Senator Russell Potts (R-27, Winchester) 804-698-7527 click here
Senator Fred Quayle (R-13, Chesapeake) 804-698-7513 click here
Senator Ed Houck (D-17, Spotylvania) 804-698-7517 click here
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THE FAMILY FOUNDATION OF VIRGINIA
One Capitol Square 830 East Main Street, Suite 1201
Richmond, VA 23219,
Phone: 804-343-0010, Fax: 804-343-0050
www.familyfoundation.org
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