 |
 |
| children's law section |
|
|
|
|
Meeting Minutes
November 2000 The meeting was called to order at 4:40 PM with quorum. Present were: John Forczak, Bridget Officier, Bill Ladd, Bill Kandler, Beverly Walker, Jennifer Pilette. Frank Vandervort, Judi New, Denise McNulty, Karen Cook, Deborah Carson, Michele La Flora, Robbie Powelson, Maria Stapalionis and Rebekah Visconti. With the addition of Bill Ladd to those present at the last meeting, the minutes were moved for acceptance by the Chair, BIll Ladd, seconded by Frank Vandervort and were adopted. The Council agreed to honor it's prior vote and to forward a check to the Annual Meeting speaker, David Katner. John Forczak reported as family law liaison and the discussions within that section on the proposed changes to MRE 703 (limiting testimony of experts to information already in evidence). Discussion was held and Frank Vandervort moved to that the CLS section take a position against this amendment which was seconded by Jennifer Pilette. The position passed unanimously. Frank will make a response within the comment period. The direction which our lobbyist, Bill Kandler, should take was discussed. As of now Bill Kandler is monitoring upcoming legislation. A legislative review committee of BIll Ladd, Frank Vandervort, Karen Cook and Michele La Flora was established. Bill Kandler will forward significant legislation onto them. Michele La Flora reported on the activities of the criminal law section. That section is looking into interviewing protocols. Jennifer Pilette moved and Karen Cook seconded that we take no position on this with the criminal law section. The motion passed. There was further discussion of the protocol from the Governor's Task Force as to the interviewing of children and to the concept of a "care house" in Wayne and other counties. Discussion was held as to the under funded mandates of the Binsfield legislation. Rebekah Visconti and Jennifer Pilette discussed the upcoming appellate training. It was decided to set that training for the end of January, 2001 in Lansing. Bill Ladd and Frank Vandervort proposed a training with David Katner and Thomas Grasso in the Spring of 2001 on child forensic interviewing protocol. A potential evidence seminal was also discussed. A committee to study any proposed court rule amendments was suggested. It was proposed that, pursuant to the bylaws, Bob Byington be removed as a Council member for repeated nonattendance. Notice will be mailed to him of the vote at the next meeting (December 6, 2000) by the secretary. This motion was moved, seconded and passed unanimously. Under New business, Council member Judi New asked for a letter of support from the Section for her mediation program for jailed mothers in Washtenaw County. The Council was unprepared to make a decision without more information. It was proposed by Jennifer Pilette that Judi forward more information to the secretary who will forward it on the executive committee (Ladd, Vandervort, LaFlora, Pilette). If they approved it would be passed on to the full Council. The motion was seconded by Beverly Walker and carried. R. Visconti opposed the motion. Bill Ladd raised the report of the State Bar Committee on Multi-Disciplinary Practices. K. Cook moved and Jack Forczak seconded a motion to table discussion until the report had been provided to council members. An outside request from the Probate Judges Association was considered to join with them on their position opposing the termination of medicaid benefits to incarcerated delinquent youth. Michelle La Flora agreed to contact the association for their written position and to bring that to the next meeting for vote. Further discussion was held as to what agreement, if any, we would have with the Michigan Child Welfare Law Resource Center as to the as to the editing and publishing of the Michigan Child Welfare Law Journal. Frank Vandervort will be asked to e-mail a proposal to the Chair who will bring it before the Council for a vote in December. This was tabled until the December meeting on motion of J. Pilette, a second of K. Cook and passed unanimously. A list of names and e-mail addresses will be forwarded by the secretary. John Forczak moved to adjourned and this was seconded by K. Cook. The meeting was adjourned at 7:00PM. |
print this page
