This document presents the transcripts from the congressional hearing which addressed four basic issues: (1) visitation rights of grandparents following divorce and custody settlements; (2) the enactment of a federal law to guarantee these rights in the eight states which have no laws; (3) the necessity of a federal law to bring uniformity to the…

Updates status of laws affecting stepfamilies. Reviews four legal areas: stepparents supporting stepchildren during marriage and following divorce; stepchildren inheriting from deceased stepparent; stepparents receiving custody of stepchildren following termination of remarriage; and stepparents visiting stepchildren following divorce. Suggests…

This document is a report on a resolution recommending that states develop and adopt a Uniform Grandparent's Visitation Act which would allow grandparents to petition state courts for the right to visit their grandchildren after the dissolution of the grandchildren's parents' marriage (by divorce, separation, or death). The resolution calls for…

This report presents Wisconsin state legislation dealing with custody arrangements. Part I gives key provisions of 1987 Assembly Bill 205. Part II reviews background activities related to the custody legislation. Part III discusses major issues relating to child custody arrangements, including definition clarification, child custody dispute…

This information memorandum of the Wisconsin Legislative Council describes two pieces of state legislation: 1987 Wisconsin Act 355, which revises the laws relating to child custody determinations in actions affecting the family, and 1987 Wisconsin Act 364, which clarifies and revises the initial applicability provisions in Act 355. Part I of the…

This document contains witness testimonies and prepared statements from the Congressional hearing called to examine the impact of divorce on children and families. Opening statements are included from Congressmen George Miller, Dan Coats, and Thomas Bliley. Witnesses providing testimony include: (1) Laurie Dixon, managing editor of "The…

This document contains public testimony, prepared statements, and letters from the Congressional hearing on parental kidnaping. Following an opening statement by the committee chairman, Senator Arlen Specter, public testimony is given by representatives of the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice, the Criminal Investigative Division of…

Reviews four recent court decisions affecting school law. A Circuit Court of Appeals ruling upheld Norfolk Schools' decision to abolish busing and reinstate neighborhood schools. The United States Supreme Court dismissed appeals to lower court decisions involving a minimum grade prerequisite, a teacher's privacy rights, and an "adult"…

Describes a complex court case involving a Massachusetts elementary teacher whose contract was not renewed because she was cohabiting with a suspected (but eventually exonerated) child abuser. School officials should resist the knee-jerk reaction to terminate a teacher's contract on the grounds of narrow, homogeneous community values regarding…

This Senate subcommittee hearing concentrates on the effects of alcoholism on the family. It states that there are now more than 28 million children of alcoholic parents, including adults who are affected by parental alcoholism. Other research cited indicates that at least half of the total number of juvenile delinquents have family members with…

This document presents the text of the Congressional hearings on nonpayment of child support, examining the link between nonpayment and child abuse, and focusing on possible remedies. The content of the proposed National Child Support Enforcement Act (H.R. 3354) is discussed. Written statements from 12 individuals are included, dealing with the…

Outlines important considerations in maintaining legal relationships between the school, pupils, and third parties (including parents). Defines "child" and "parent." Discusses the impact on school personnel of the complex variety of persons and institutions that may claim rights and privileges as "parent" with regard…

Offers administrative directives, including visitor identification and student release policies and a specific release procedure, for preventing and dealing with problems related to child snatching by spouses or former spouses. (KS)

Issues involved in parental legal responsibility for a child's graduate study costs in the case of divorce are reviewed, and it is concluded that these issues are not inherently different simply because the child is older. (Available from: Fred B. Rothman & Co., 10368 W. Centennial Rd., Littleton, CO 80123, $4.50) (MSE)

Provides guidelines and suggestions for schools faced with legal problems associated with children from nontraditional families. Sections are included on children with changed surnames, access to school records for noncustodial parents, policy conflicts between spouses over children's schooling, and attempts by noncustodial parents to remove…