Federal “Family Engagement” Plans
The U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services have issued a draft policy statement calling for “family engagement” and “including” parents as “partners” in the education and...
HB356: Protecting Innocent Parents from DCFS Taking their Children
This bill passed the House 71-1 and passed the Senate unanimously. It was subsequently signed into law by Governor Herbert. Libertas Institute supports this bill. See below for an update. Utah law allows the Division of Child and...
One Father’s Story of His Legally Kidnapped Daughter Being Raised by “Psychological Parents”
Editor’s note: Libertas has been closely following the stories of birth fathers around the country who are defrauded by mothers who exploit weaknesses in Utah law to put their children up for adoption over the wishes—and without...
HB318: Jury Trial for Parents Facing Termination of Parental Rights
This bill passed the House 46-27 but was not considered in the Senate. Visit our Legislative Index to see the final vote rankings for the 2014 general session. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Last fall we published an...
Deadbeat Dad, or Deceived Dupe? How Utah Legalizes Conspiracy and Kidnapping
Yesterday, a group of fathers from around the country filed a federal lawsuit against the state of Utah in federal court for “legalized fraud and kidnapping.” For years, Utah law has allowed biological mothers to leave biological...
The Presumption of State Stewardship Over Children
Utah law clearly and correctly states that parents possess “a fundamental liberty interest in the care, custody, and management of the parent’s children.” Unfortunately, other sections of the state code conflict...