Join PIPCA in supporting laws for the
Prevention
of International Parental Child Abduction
in Texas and throughout the U.S.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 24, 2003
E-mail: HB1899@pipca.org
HOUSTON -- Texas Governor Perry has signed landmark legislation HB 1899, Prevention of International Parental Child Abduction, to be added to Chapter 153 of the Texas Family Code (as Subsections 153.501-153.503), effective immediately. HB 1899 was introduced to the Texas House of Representatives by State Representative Joe Nixon, at the request of Cathy Brown and Teresa Lauderdale, and was sponsored in the Texas Senate by Senator Jane Nelson. HB1899 passed both chambers unanimously.
"This legislation will give our courts the tools they need to prevent children from being abducted into foreign countries where they are out of the reach of our laws. No child should be forcibly separated from their mother or father, and the courts must step in to protect that child whenever there is a flight risk, especially into nations that do not cooperate with our courts." Senator Nelson said. "International child abduction is not only devastating to the child and parent, it creates an enormous financial burden both for the parent and for the government to recover and return the missing child."
Without the safeguards in HB 1899, a parent has no means to protect their child even if they know an abduction is about to take place or is in progress. There are a number of cases where parents pleaded for safeguards from Courts unsuccessfully; the children were then abducted, never to be heard from again. HB 1899 will increase awareness in the Texas courts regarding the risks, obstacles to recovery, and safeguards needed to protect at-risk children. We encourage all other States to pass similar legislation.
Information on HB 1899: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/ (Input: 78th Regular Session - 2003; HB1899)
HB1899 is included in the TX Family Code under CHAPTER 153. CONSERVATORSHIP, POSSESSION, AND ACCESS
Prevent International Parental Child Abduction (PIPCA)
P.O. Box 270362
Houston, TX 77277-0362
web: http://www.pipca.org
email: all@pipca.org
Prevent International Parental Child Abduction (PIPCA) was formed by Teresa Lauderdale, Cathy Brown, and Nina Lauderdale to help protect children from international parental child abduction, and to increase awareness of the tragedy of international abduction and of preventive measures that can be ordered by a Court when a child is at risk of abduction. PIPCA can assist in arranging training, expert testimony, and general advice on this issue.