House Bill 213 by Representative Cam Ward (R-Alabaster) today passed the Alabama Senate and is on the way to the Governor’s office for his signature into law. Known as the Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act, this measure, which Rep. Ward authored with Sen. Marc Keahey (D-Grove Hill) as the Senate sponsor, is aimed at preventing child abductions in the state of Alabama.
Former Supreme Court Justice Gorman Houston assisted Representative Ward in getting the bill through the House. Justice Houston testified on behalf of the bill before the House Judiciary Committee. Rep. Ward thanked Justice Houston and Senator Keahey for their efforts. “Having a respected jurist like Justice Houston on board was invaluable to the passage of the bill. As a former prosecutor, Senator Keahey has firsthand knowledge of child abductions, and his sponsorship in the Senate made final passage of this bill possible,” Rep. Ward said.
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention estimates over 250,000 children are abducted annually with approximately 73% abducted by a family member. While current Alabama law addresses initial child custody determination as well as criminal repercussions for child abductions, this act clarifies the procedure for Courts to follow to protect the child and all parties.
“Although we already have good laws in place in regard to child abductions, the legislature needs to set some specific guidelines for the judicial system to ensure that our children are as safe and secure as possible. This bill will do that,” Rep. Ward stated”
Rep. Ward was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 2002 to represent District 49, which includes parts of Bibb and Shelby Counties. Mr. Ward, his wife Julie and daughter Riley live in Alabaster.
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