PENNSYLVANIA — In a unanimous decision, the Pennsylvania Senate Judiciary Committee this week cleared the path for Senate Bill 55, also known as Kayden’s Law, to be brought to a full Senate vote. This bipartisan legislation is sponsored by Senators Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Lisa Baker (R-20).
Kayden’s Law is named in honor of Kayden Mancuso, a seven-year-old from Lower Makefield Township, Pennsylvania, who tragically lost her life in August 2018 at the hands of her biological father during a court-ordered, unsupervised visit.
“No child in Pennsylvania should fear for their safety or be left alone with an abuser,” said Senator Santarsiero. “Kayden’s Law will ensure the safety of the child is paramount in custody cases and will absolutely save children’s lives.”
The proposed law aims to amend Titles 23 (Domestic Relations) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. It seeks to strengthen current factors considered in custody decisions, emphasizing child protection as the most important issue. If there’s an ongoing risk of abuse found by the court, any custody order would include necessary safety conditions and restrictions, including supervised visitation. It also encourages the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania to implement annual educational and training programs for judges and relevant court personnel on child abuse, adverse childhood experiences, and domestic violence.
Senate Bill 55 had previously passed the Senate in 2021 but did not come up for a vote in the Pennsylvania House. With the new session starting in January 2023, re-introduction of the bill was necessary. The bill’s progression signifies a major step towards improving child safety within custody cases in Pennsylvania.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.