Senators Baker, Santarsiero resume work on Kayden's Law - Yahoo News

Mar. 20—WILKES-BARRE — State Sen. Lisa Baker Wednesday said Pennsylvania could soon receive $25 million in federal funding to keep children safe through the passage of Senate Bill 78, also known as Kayden's Law.

Last week, Baker said the U.S. Congress passed the 2022 re-authorization of the Violence Against Women's Act (VAWA), which makes $25 million in new federal grants available to states that modernize and reform their child custody laws.

In a joint news release, Baker, R-Lehman Township, and Sen. Steve Santarsiero, D-Bucks County, applauded Congress for funding state efforts to reform their child custody laws.

"We were proud to see our bill, Kayden's Law, pass the state Senate and hope Pennsylvania can soon take advantage of this new federal funding to protect children," the senators said.

Specifically, to be eligible for the additional grant funding, states must have child custody laws in effect that:

—Govern how courts handle evidence of domestic violence and child abuse, including past allegations of abuse and expert testimony.

—Limit a court's ability to force a child to be placed into the custody of a parent with a history of violent and abusive behavior.

—Require judges and other court personnel involved in child custody proceedings to complete 20 hours of initial training as well as continuing education in various aspects of domestic violence, sexual violence and child abuse.

"Children need the law to protect their interest in custody proceedings, especially those cases in which there are allegations of domestic violence or child sexual abuse," Baker said. "These dollars can be used to improve existing education and training for judges, and to create a separate, custom-tailored program for guardians ad litem, appointed counsel for children, masters, and mediators."

Baker said Kayden's Law will provide urgently needed reform to Pennsylvania's child custody statute that fits within the federal framework for funding eligibility under VAWA. She said the legislation would help protect children by making their safety and welfare the principle focus in any custody dispute.

source: https://news.yahoo.com/senators-baker-santarsiero-resume-kaydens-011800158.html

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