PUBLIC HEARING, MORE NEWS ON JENNIFERS' LAW

 

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Jennifers' Law Dear friends, We have a very BIG development to report from Jennifer's home state of Connecticut. A new law in Jennifer Magnano's name, (and that of Jennifer Dulos, who was murdered by her estranged husband in 2019) has been introduced by state senator Alex Kasser, (D-Greenwich) in the Connecticut General Assembly. Jennifers' Law aims to expand the definition of domestic violence to include coercive control, the full range of tactics that abusers use to entrap and control their victims, beyond just physical abuse. Coercive control is a patterned behavior that includes nonphysical abuse such as emotional, verbal, financial and legal abuse as well as stalking, harassment, gaslighting, humiliation, cruelty and intimidation. Elements that are always present in domestic abuse. To date, California, Hawaii, Scotland, England and Wales have passed Coercive Control Laws. Australia, Colorado, Maryland and New York have introduced legislation this 2021 session. Jennifer's Law is supported by Mom's Demand and Connecticut Protective Moms The public hearing on Jennifers' Law will take place this week, Wednesday, March 24, starting at 10am. You can watch it live on YouTube Live, or recorded on CT-N. Jennifers' Law is a monumental step towards making domestic violence law reflect the actual reality of what women and children experience at the hands of abusers, and the hope is that this new law will lead to earlier intervention - which we know saves lives. I will testify, as will our EP and world leading expert Laura Richards , attorney Michelle Cruz who did the original investigation into Jennifer's murder, and also Jennifer's children Jessica and David. Our film Jennifer, 42 delves deep into this abuser behavior, as well as the catastrophic results when the courts fail to recognize the danger the victims are in. Laura Richards estimates that about 80% of domestic violence homicides happen in the first six months after leaving. Looking at Scott Magnano's coercively controlling behavior pre-separation, and his stalking behavior post-separation, and the lengths he would go to get Jennifer back within his control, is a powerful example of the close correlation between coercive control and homicide.  Tune in on Wednesday, and if you want to support reform of domestic violence laws in the US, please sign this petition and learn more about this issue and our campaigns: https://www.change.org/p/domestic-violence-law-reform-coercive-control-usa

ABOUT THE FILM Jennifer, 42 is an animated true crime documentary about an American family's epic battle to escape domestic violence. Director Elle Kamihira, Producer Katie Hyde, Animation Director Yulia Ruditskaya and Executive Producer Laura Richards.

S.B. NO. 479 PROTECTING MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS IN A DCF CASE APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE!

Raised S.B. No. 479 
Session Year 2018

AN ACT CONCERNING IMMUNITY FROM CIVIL OR CRIMINAL LIABILITY FOR PERSONS PROVIDING MEDICAL ASSISTANCE OR INTERVENTION IN A CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT CASE.

"To extend the immunity provided to those who in good faith report suspected child abuse or neglect to medical professionals involved in the evaluation of the suspected abuse or neglect."

For more information on this bill, which recently passed through the judiciary committee successfully, please click on the link below:

https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=SB00479&which_year=2018

Comment:  From my perspective this might be helpful because pedophiles are often encouraged to sue the heck out of the medical professionals who report them and this acts as a deterrant when doctors are confronted with cases of abuse and are considering whether to report.

H.B. No. 5575 APPEARS TO HAVE PASSED THROUGH THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY!

Raised H.B. No. 5575 
Session Year 2018

AN ACT CONCERNING THE APPOINTMENT OF A LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL TO PROVIDE TREATMENT OR AN EVALUATION IN CONNECTION WITH A FAMILY RELATIONS MATTER.

"To allow a party to a family relations matter to have greater input on the selection of a licensed health care professional who is to provide treatment or an evaluation in connection with such matter."

For more information on this bill which recently passed successfully through the judiciary committee, see the link below:

https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB05575&which_year=2018

CT FATHER'S POWER ADVOCATES SKETCH OUT A LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE TO CRUSH MOTHERS IN CT FAMILY COURT!

The Commander, "The Handmaiden's Tale"
The way Fathers in CT want things to be!

In Margaret Atwood's dystopic novel "The Handmaiden's Tale", a series which airs soon on Hulu, women have been reduced to baby making machines in a society where men have seized full political control  of the entire United States.  Impossible?  Unlikely?  Don't be so sure.

"Handmaidens" whose sole purpose is to give birth
in Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaiden's Tale"

Recently, I was at the Legislative Office Building with some friends when a person showed me current 2017 legislative proposals, which, appallingly enough, sketch out a strategic plan that will essentially crush mothers in Family Court and lead to a situation where men seize control of family court processes and essentially remove mothers from the lives of their children in droves. 

THE CONNECTICUT JUNKIE REPORTS ON STUDY REGARDING FAMILY VIOLENCE IN CT!

Elizabeth Regan of The CT Junkie reports as follows:

"The authors of a study told lawmakers Monday that family violence is “no different than other contagious diseases.” 

The 165-page report by the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, titled “Addressing Family Violence in Connecticut: Strategies, Tactics and Policies,” was commissioned by the legislature’s Public Health Committee in 2014. It was released in June with numerous recommendations based on findings that most efforts to reduce family violence haven’t produced measurable benefits. 

“Family violence tends to be passed on as a negative contagion within the family from one generation to the next and it is pervasive,” the study said. “The side effects include numerous behavioral health problems including drug use, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and illegal behavior, among others...”

READ MORE:

http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/study_recommends_new_approach_to_treating_family_violence_cases/

OLR ANALYSIS OF BILL HB 6849: AN ACT STRENGTHENING PROTECTIONS FOR VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING!

OLR Bill Analysis

HB 6849 (as amended by House "A")* 

AN ACT STRENGTHENING PROTECTIONS FOR VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING. 

SUMMARY:

This bill makes numerous changes to the statutes related to human trafficking. It:

1. expands the crime of human trafficking by broadening the conditions under which the crime is committed when the victim is a minor (under age 18);

2. requires the Department of Public Health (DPH) to provide victims of human trafficking the same services it must provide certain sexual assault victims under existing law;

3. allows the Office of Victims Services (OVS), under certain circumstances, to waive the time limitation on crime victim compensation applications for minors who are victims of human trafficking;

4. expands the conditions under which a court may erase a juvenile's record;

5. expands the list of crimes, including human trafficking, for which wiretapping is authorized; and

6. increases, from 21 to 23, the membership of the Trafficking in Persons Council (see BACKGROUND).

The bill also makes technical and conforming changes.

*House Amendment “A” specifies that human trafficking of a minor involves sexual contact that constitutes prostitution or other criminal offenses for which the third party could be charged. 

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2015

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

§ 4 — Elements of the Crime of Human Trafficking

The bill expands the crime of human trafficking by broadening the conditions under which the crime is committed when the victim is a minor. 

Under current law, a person commits human trafficking when he or she: 

1. compels or induces a person, regardless of age, to (a) engage in conduct involving more than one occurrence of sexual contact with one or more third persons or (b) provide labor or services that he or she has a legal right to refrain from providing and

2. does so through coercion, fraud, or use or threatened use of force against the person or a third person.

Under the bill, the crime of human trafficking is committed against a minor when the offender compels or induces a minor to engage in conduct involving more than one occurrence of sexual contact with one or more third persons that constitutes (1) prostitution or (2) sexual contact for which the third person may be charged with a criminal offense. By law, “sexual contact” is any contact with another person's intimate parts.

By law, human trafficking is a class B felony, punishable by imprisonment up to 20 years with a one year minimum, fines up to $15,000, or both. Human trafficking of a minor is also a class B felony under the bill.

§ 1 — DPH Services to Trafficking Victims

The bill requires DPH to provide victims of human trafficking the same services it must provide under existing law to certain sexual assault victims and victims of injury, risk of injury, or impairing morals of children. The services DPH must provide to such victims are:

1. counseling regarding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome, 

2. HIV-related testing, and 

3. referral service for appropriate health care and support services. 

The law requires DPH to provide such services (1) whether or not anyone is convicted or adjudicated delinquent for the violation and (2) through counseling and testing sites the department funds.

§ 6 — Crime Victim Compensation

By law, crime victims (including those who suffer pecuniary loss as a result of the victim's injury) may generally be considered for crime victim compensation if they apply within two years after the date of personal injury or death from a qualifying incident or crime and report the crime to the police either within five days after it occurs or within five days after a report reasonably could have been made. The maximum awards are $15,000 for personal injuries and $25,000 for death.

The bill allows OVS to waive the time limitation on crime victim compensation applications for a minor who is a victim of human trafficking, if OVS finds that the minor is not at fault for not applying on time.

§ 3 — Erasure of Police and Court Records

The bill expands the conditions under which a court may erase a juvenile's record. 

By law, a child or his or her parent may petition the Superior Court to have the child's record erased for (1) a delinquency conviction, (2) an adjudication as a member of a family with service needs (FWSN) (see BACKGROUND), or (3) admitting to committing a delinquent act. Under current law, for the court to erase a juvenile's record, the following conditions must exist:

1. at least two years (four years for a serious juvenile offense) must have elapsed since the child was discharged from the supervision of the Superior Court or from the custody of the Department of Children and Families or any other agency or institution,

2. no subsequent juvenile proceeding or adult criminal proceeding is pending against the child,

3. the child has not been convicted of a delinquent act that would constitute a felony or misdemeanor if committed by an adult during the two- or four-year period,

4. the child has not been convicted as an adult of a felony or misdemeanor during this period, and

5. the child has reached adulthood. 

Under the bill, the court may also erase the record if it finds that the child has a criminal record as a result of being a victim of human trafficking.

§ 5 — Wiretapping

The bill adds aggravated sexual assault of a minor, enticing a minor, human trafficking, and obscenity concerning minors to the list of crimes for which wiretapping is authorized. 

Under current law, wiretaps are authorized for the crimes of gambling, bribery, racketeering, manufacturing and selling narcotics or hallucinogens, felonies involving violence, unlawful or threatened use of physical force, or violence committed with intent to intimidate or coerce the civilian population or a government unit.

§ 2 — Trafficking in Persons Council

The bill increases, from 21 to 23, the membership of the Trafficking in Persons Council by increasing, from one to three, the public members appointed by the Governor (see BACKGROUND). Under current law, he appoints a representative from Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Services, Inc. The bill requires the governor to appoint two additional public members, one each representing (1) victims of commercial exploitation of children and (2) child sex trafficking victims.

BACKGROUND

Family with Service Needs (FWSN)

A family with service needs is a family that includes a child who is at least age seven and under age 18 and who (1) has, without just cause, run away from home; (2) is beyond the control of his or her parent or other guardian; (3) has engaged in indecent or immoral conduct; (4) is truant or habitually truant or who, while in school, continuously and overtly defies school rules and regulations; or (5) is age 13 or older and is sexually active with someone who is at least age 13 but under age 16.

Trafficking in Person Council 

By law, the council must (1) identify criteria for providing services to trafficking victims and (2) consult with governmental and nongovernmental organizations to develop recommendations to strengthen state and local efforts to prevent trafficking, protect and assist victims of trafficking, and prosecute traffickers. The council must meet three times per year (CGS § 46b-146).

COMMITTEE ACTION

Judiciary Committee

Joint Favorable

43 Yea

Nay

0

(04/06/2015)

CT-N POSTS VIDEO OF GOVERNOR MALLOY BILL SIGNING CEREMONY FOR LEGISLATION TO PROTECT VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC SEX TRAFFICKING!

CTNOW REPORTS H.B. 5505 AND 44 OTHER BILLS ARE IN LIMBO AS REP. GONZALEZ EMAIL ALLEGED TO BE SOURCE OF FILIBUSTER!

Christopher Keating of CTNOW reports as follows:

HARTFORD —

A clash over a legislator's email caused the failure of 45 bills Monday at the judiciary committee as Republicans and Democrats squared off as the committee faced an important deadline at 5 p.m.

The clash led to the failure of all bills on the agenda as Republicans staged a filibuster that lasted until the deadline.

The two sides disagreed on some substantive issues, but the dispute was a spillover from Friday between state Rep. Minnie Gonzalez, a Hartford Democrat, and Rep. Rosa Rebimbas, a Naugatuck Republican who serves as the ranking House member, officials said. Gonzalez and Rebimbas clashed publicly during a long hearing Friday regarding the confirmation of Connecticut State Supreme Court Chief Justice Chase Rogers.

But both Republicans and Democrats said the dispute continued following an email that Gonzalez sent Saturday that was copied to numerous legislators, including Rebimbas herself. At least 25 people - both Republicans and Democrats - had seen the email by Monday, based on the email trail.

The original email was written to a non-legislator who has concerns about the longrunning controversy over guardians ad litem, which are mentioned by Gonzalez as GAL. The guardians are often appointed in contentious divorce cases involving the care and custody of minor children.

The email by Gonzalez, obtained by Capitol Watch, is as follows:

"Do not waist your valuable time with people like Rep Ribimbas.She is an atty and also a GAL,she is fighting for her pocket not for the people like you and others the are suffering .She is cold with no heart.All she did on Friday was kissing the judges back and attacking another Rep and calling you a liar.not professional .people that were watching knows what a brown nose she is.she didn't look good but she think  she was awesome,Dianne always remember that every pig has 

his Saturday .ps Ribimbas I hope y enjoy 

VIDEO TESTIMONY ABOUT  5505 king another Rep and insulting you. She think that she did good

Sent from my iPhone Minnie González''

The mention of 5505 by Gonzalez refers to House Bill 5505, which advocates are pushing in an attempt to make changes to the family court system on issues such as supervised visitation in contentious child custody cases.

House Republican leader Themis Klarides, who was clearly frustrated by the developments, declined to comment on the email.

"I don't want to talk about it,'' Klarides told Capitol Watch outside the meeting room.

Gonzalez sent a second email on Monday that said, "Dear Representative Rebimbas,

"On Saturday, my emotions got the better of me on an issue that I, and my constituents, care deeply about. It was inappropriate for me to include other people in an email that should have remained between us, and for that I apologize.''

But Sen. John Kissel, the longtime ranking senator on the committee, said the second email "really wasn't an apology.''

Kissel said that Republicans had sought "a simple apology'' that never materialized over the course of the day and led to the filibuster. 

The link to this article is below:

http://www.ctnow.com/news/hc-judiciary-votes-delayed-due-to-clashes-20150413,0,7127423.story

RESPONSE TO SENATOR KISSEL'S FALSE ALLEGATION THAT COALITION MEMBERS POSTED PERSONAL AND PRIVATE INFORMATION REGARDING JUDGES AND THEIR FAMILIES ON FACEBOOK AND SOCIAL MEDIA WEBSITES!

During the session on February 26, 2014, which I posted recently on this blog, Senator Kissel made an allegation which he attributed to Judge Patrick Carroll that Coalition members posted personal and private information regarding Judges and their families on facebook and other social media websites. 

 

As a member of the Coalition, I am offended that this false allegation made its way into the public discussion regarding the reappointment of Judge Olear, skewing the outcome of the Senate vote.  This is exactly the kind of situation victims of family court have reported on frequently, i.e. situations where one or the other party makes false allegations which the court takes as the truth without verifying the facts properly.  The end result is considerable harm and damage to the injured party. 

 

In a public debate in the Senate, no Senator should make public statements about a group of people which is untrue.

 

When I reported on this situation to other activists, I received the following response from one contributor.  While I do not endorse all of this person's sentiments, I do consider the anger and indignation that underlies them quite justifiable. 

 

See below:

"all is fair game.....if the judges are going to be self appointed rulers and act on their own beliefs, prejudices etc, not on the rule of law then it is open season on anything in the life of the judge.  if you read the writings of Justice Anthony Scalia of Scotus, he tells you to find out everything there is to know about a judge.....everything....might as well follow his advice......his address is known, his kids are known, he knows this....it is part of being a judge....of course he is a pretty amazing judge....the trash we have in connecticut needs to be taken to the dump.....might as well make a webpage on every family court judge, describe everything about them, their childhoods, their own divorces, their own personal misconducts, their failures to uphold law.....everything.....this is what makes a society civilized........only way to clean up the failed judiciary is to expose the judges for the crooks, fools, and clowns that they really are......no one forced them to sit on the bench and destroy people's lives, destroy children, steal money and ignore the constitution."

As a person who writes a blog on the CT Family Court system, I receive emails every day about the tragic injustices that occur in family court where lives are destroyed daily by evil, corrupt judges who appoint GALs who exploit and take advantage of family court victims both financially and emotionally and drive them to despair. 

Does this contributor's remarks appear shocking to you? 

They are no more shocking that the cruel and harsh reality of the injustice and wrongdoing which is the standard in Family Courtrooms throughout Connecticut.

We need reform today.  We cannot wait.

CT STATE SENATE, FEBRUARY 26, 2014 SESSION, WRITTEN SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS!

THIS JUST IN FROM A CONTRIBUTOR:

SENATE DEBATE

2:07:29:  Court Clerk calls the O'Lear renomination matter

 

2:07:43:  Sen. Coleman recuses himself per Senate Rule 15

 

2:07:55:  Sen. Doyle:  voting yes; but noting concerns about large GAL fees and the family law system; stating such concerns need to be addressed by the legislature; stating that Judge O'Lear got "excellent" ratings in evals by Judicial Branch.

 

2:13:30:  Sen. Kissel:  voting yes; citing advice of Atty Frank Santi; noting high cost of divorce litigation; citing his role in creation of GAL program; stating it worked for 20 yrs, but now "a handful of GALs have used this as a cottage industry,"; he views bad GALs as a minority not a systemic problem; noting litigants were threatened with jail for refusing or being unable to pay GAL bills;

 

2:18:05:  Sen. Kissel (continuing) cited Chief Admin. Judge Carroll for the position that citizens have been putting judges personal info on FaceBook and/or the internet; distinguishing b/w proper and improper protests.  Stating it takes a lot for him to oppose a judge, saying he cannot remember the last time he voted against a judge. [Ed.:  I am not aware of any such activities.]

 

2:21:50:  Sen Kissel (continuing):  stating that while he supports the judge, he understands the need to reform family court and committing to address it this session.

 

2:22:30:  Sen. Fasano:  explaining he had a friend & constituent who spent "well over $300k" just on GAL & AMC fees, saying "that's crazy, that's ludicrous, that's insane".  He notes the criticism of the judges, but he says it's the fault of the legislature and the Bar Assoc.  Says the "system is out of control."  He notes how "everybody knows each other and everybody's friendly with each other."  He says the issue has boiled over over the last 2 years.  Says the judge is just following the law.  [Ed.: Sen. Fasano seems unaware that most operative "law" in this area consists of judge-created rules and immunities for divorce industry operatives from other laws.]  Criticizes the failure of the Bar Assoc to address this.  Reform "is going to be in our front door this session."  "If people won't regulate their own system, then we will."

 

2:27:10:  Sen. Fasano (continuing):  Says citizens should not be putting judges pictures & salary and family info & derogatory comments about judges on FaceBook.  [Ed.:  I am not aware of ANY such situations.]  Criticizes protestors for failing to control how they express their concerns.  "If they are listening to this, tone it down because we get the message."

 

2:28:44:  Sen. Witkos:  Notes that only recently has legislature started to address concerns about family court issues, including GAL fees and being denied access to their kids.  Cites mental health issues among constituents, including one whose ex was bipolar.  His GAL bills are "almost $100k."  But he lost his house in part b/c of GAL fees.  Says "GALs don't even know who they are representing."  Notes judges have power to remove bad GALs, but they refuse to do that.  Notes how divorce industry operatives know each other.  But states they have to deal with the judges. Notes parents "are going back to court every single day, and their bills are getting larger and larger and larger. And there is one person in that courtroom who can stop that from happening.  And that's the judge.  And in my opinion they are allowing it to continue."

 

2:32:10:  Sen. Welch (voting no):  Fears the discussion has become about GAL issues rather than the judge.  Notes that "too often judicial nominees get rubber-stamped by the legislative bodies" and deserve better performance reviews.  He expresses concerns about a couple incidences in which Judge O'Lear's decisions, which he found surprising, were reversed. 

 

2:34:05:  Clerk calls Roll Call and opens voting.

 

2:37:13:  Voting closed.  Resolution passes 28 yea, 4 nay; 3 absent & not voting).

CT STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, FEBRUARY 26, 2014 SESSION!

THIS JUST IN FROM A DIC CONTRIBUTOR:

 

On February 26, 2014, the CT House & Senate voted on the reappointment of several judges, including Judge Leslie O'Lear, whose reappointment was opposed by many parents who had appeared before her.  While Judge O'Lear's reappointment was eventually approved, the legislators engaged in serious discussion about the abuses in and need for reform of CT's family law system.

To aid those who wish to view the discussions, I've compiled the start and end times below.   I also saw live, and hope to index at some point, some of the Senate debate.

HOUSE DEBATE

Here's the link to the CT-N video of yesterday's House Session:

 http://ct-n.com/ctnplayer.asp?odID=9979.

The discussion of O'Lear's appointment starts at about 1:10.

Minnie Gonzalez's speech starts at 1:17 (voting no; very impassioned).

Rep. Carter speaks at 1:24 (voting no).

Rep. Candelaria at 1:26 (voting no).

Rep. O'Dea at 1:27 (voting yes, but says O'Lear "needs help with her demeanor"; understands GAL process needs to be improved).

Rep. Vargas at 1:30:49 (voting no; very impassioned; WOW).

Rep. Kokorudo 1:40:50 (voting no).

Rep. Gonzalez: 1:42:15 (second time speaking; very, very impassioned; WOW).

Rep. Fox 1:47:15 (voting yes).

Rep. Vargas 1:50:24 (second time speaking, rebutting Rep. Fox).

Picture of parents protesting O'Lear (during Rep. Vargas's second turn speaking): 1:53:30.

Debate ends; voting opens:  1:55.

Voting ends:  1:59:45

Tally announced:  2:00:00  (the House approves Judge O'Lear's renomination 78-67, with 5 absent & not voting).

 

CT STATE SENATE, FEBRUARY 26, 2014 SESSION

LIST OF CT STATE REPRESENTATIVES WHO DECIDED TO VOTE FOR A CORRUPT, ABUSIVE JUDGE--JUDGE OLEAR!

ABERCROMBIE

ALBIS

ALTOBELLO

ARCONTI

ARESIMOWICZ

BARAM

BECKER, B.

DARGAN

DAVIS

DEMICCO

ESPOSITO

FLEXER

FOX, D.

FOX, G

GENGA

GENTILE

GROGINS

HADDAD

HENNESSY

JANOWSKI

JOHNSON

JUTILA

KINER

LUXENBERG

MARONEY

MEGNA

MORIN

MOUKAWSHER

MUSHINSKY

NAFIS

RILEY

RITTER, M.

ROSE

SEAR

SERRA

TONG

VERRENGIA

VICINO

WIDLITZ

WRIGHT, C.

WRIGHT, E.

LABRIOLA

LAVIELLE

MINER

ODEA

O'NEILL

PERILLO

REBIMBAS

SAWYER

SCRIBNER

SHABAN

SMITH

WALKO

WILLIAMS

WOOD

ZUPKUS

ADINOLFI

ACKERT

BELSITO

BUCK-TAYLOR

CAFERO

CANDELORA, V.

CAMILLO

CARPINO

CASE

FLOREN
D'AMELIO

FREY

KLARIDES

SHARKEY (SPKR)

MORE FOOT DRAGGING! POSITIONS ON CHILD CUSTODY TASK FORCE STILL UNFILLED!

TASK FORCE TO STUDY CHILD CUSTODY LEGAL DISPUTES MIRED IN DELAY! 

(Substitute House Bill No. 6685)

 

For details of the bill see the following link:

http://www.cga.ct.gov/2013/act/sa/2013SA-00024-R00HB-06685-SA.htm

As of the August 27, 2013, membership on the task force on child custody remains incomplete (see below) and no one has done a thing to get it moving forward. 

I can only say this reflects a total disregard for the many suffering and struggling Connecticut Families who are dealing with ongoing custody issues in the corrupt and mismanaged Connecticut family court system. 

Is this more business as usual, emptying litigants pockets to the tune of thousands and thousands of dollars and doing nothing in return!  Remember, the task force is supposed to report back on February 1, 2014. 

The Committee is supposed to consist of ten members.  If you look at the list of member positions below, you will see that positions 1, 3, 7, 8, and 9 remain unfilled.  What is the hold up? 

 

Position 1:  a practicing attorney with significant experience in the handling of child custody matters in state courts

Status:  Unfilled

 

Position 2:  a practicing attorney with not less than ten years' experience serving as a guardian ad litem or an attorney for the minor child in child custody matters in state courts

Appointed:  Sue Cousineau, Middletown

Position 3:  a licensed mental health professional with expertise in child custody forensic evaluations

Status:  Unfilled

Position 4:  an employee of the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Department
Appointed:  Joseph DiTunno

Position 5:  a mental health professional with expertise in working with family systems 
Appointed:  Debralee Hovey, Monroe

Position 6:  a person with personal or professional experience in matters involving allegations of one parent engaging in a persistent pattern of denigrating the other parent in the presence of a minor child in order to negatively influence the child's perception of the parent and alienate the child's affections for the parent, made in the context of a proceeding involving the custody, care and upbringing of a minor child
Appointed:  Jennifer Verraneault, East Haven

Position 7:  a member of the Judiciary Committee, appointed by the co-chairs
Status:  Unfilled

Position 8:  a practicing attorney with significant experience in the ethical obligations involving child custody cases, appointed by the Judiciary co-chairs      
Status:  Unfilled

Position 9:  a member of the Children's Committee, appointed by co-chairs
Status:  Unfilled

Position 10:  a person appointed by co-chairs, Children's Committee
Status:  Thomas Weissmuller, Pawcatuck