Here we go again. If there is one thing that I don’t like doing it is starting over again. I was very confident as we approached this last General Assembly. I was well prepared. Flat problem came from a source that could not be foreseen, a block by a “fathers’ rights” group.

We had the support but Fathers and Families (NKA National Parents Organization) blocked the way by refusing to tell legislators that they had no opposition to the legislation moving forward without amendment.  That refusal to make a simple phone call resulted in the bill not moving forward in committee. This was an intentional move on their part. They knew well in advance and could or would never say why they would not get behind the effort.

We cannot allow that to happen again.

We need to work hard to get this reintroduced. We have received feedback from some legislators that they do want it back. We must press forward now.

In working on SB144, the primary sponsor cautioned against using the complicated constitutional argument that we were using. He understood it but said that it would be too complicated for the majority of legislators to understand.

Why do we allow the removal of fit parents from the lives of their children every day?

 

What is the compelling state interest in doing so?

Do parents divorce their children when they end their own personal relationship?

Why is Ohio still using the law, and methods that were passed in the 1980s to determine custody between parents when there have been so many significant changes in case law, societal changes, and significant psychological reports showing that the involvement of both parents is critical to the success of a child?[1]

This is when we call on the rest of you to step up to the plate, get on board and help to gain supporters by contacting your own Ohio Legislators and asking them to join us in moving this to reality.  Our goal is attainable with introduction by both the House and Senate at the nearly the same time with bi-partisan support and sponsors.

We do ask that you mindful of some things that will be important when speaking to Representatives and Senators in the State of Ohio.

• We must remain respectful and we must retain credibility.
• If you come off like the disgruntle parent you lose credibility.
• If you come off like the parent that only wants custody so that they get out of paying child support – you lose credibility.
• If you are asked a question about the bill and cannot answer it – you lose again.
• If you talk about your personal experiences in the court – You lose.
• If you cannot point out the benefit to the STATE, not yourself or your situation – you lose.
• If you cannot point out the benefits to every child in the state – you lose.

You lose and we could all lose.

We have been down this road before and come up empty handed and we have studied, learned and talked our way back to this position through hard work and dedication of some very determined people. This time the approach is completely different that has ever been done before and has been updated to take advantage of some things that were learned last time. .

When this effort to change the law here began there were conversations that took place between me and several key legislators. We developed a plan of attack on this issue which included key elements that would be used and should not be used.

Remain gender neutral in all presentations.

• Remain race neutral in all presentations.
• Do not present this as a Constitutional issue solely. That may be a difficult bullet to bite for many but the explanation goes far above the heads of most legislators and is so complex that it will lose the average legislator.
• Bring current and former family law attorneys on board with the legislation as additional mouth pieces for the passage.
• Bring current and former family court judges on board in support of these changes.
• Show the money savings to the state when passed.
• Bring as many politicians on all levels on board as possible.
• Bring as many affected parents and grandparents on board as possible.
• Keep your message tight and short so that you are able to draw legislators into further discussion. This was done by developing an opening question that has been very affective to this day: “Why are we removing fit parents from the lives of children every day?” and remain true to that singular approach. The message has been very well received by those that have used it and has helped to gain support.

I stayed to complete this task for one reason and one reason only – to protect every one of you, your children and your grandchildren from what many of us have faced because of the current laws of this state.

At the top of this page are several items that you need to read. First two are the fact sheet and talking points that will be presented by us to every legislator in the state. The last item is a sample letter explaining to the legislators why we feel that they should support this legislation.

Staying on point will be very important to this effort so please do not deviate from this plan. The plan has been very well thought out and the tools we are giving you will assure that we remain consistent with our approach to changing the law.

Should you have questions that you need answered before talking to your legislator or should your legislator have question which you cannot answer please direct this to:

Ray R. Lautenschlager

legislation@ohiofamilyrights.com

Ray has been the spearhead behind much of this effort and he knows this better than anyone else. He has been able to find two key reports that will be of benefit to getting this passed.

He got us here and through him, we will get this home.

Thank you, God Bless us in this and now it is time to get this done.