Senate Bill 55 Would Give Children More Protections in Custody Cases
(Harrisburg, PA) -- Children involved in custody hearings would be given more protection under legislation approved by a Senate Committee. The Judiciary Committee voted unanimously in favor of Senate Bill 55 Tuesday. It would set new criteria concerning the awarding of custody or visitation rights for a child. The measure sponsored by Committee Minority Chair Steve Santarsiero of Bucks County, would ensure that considerations would be given in custody orders that include safety conditions and restrictions to protect the child if there's a history of abuse or risk of abuse. The Senate bill also encourages the Supreme Court to start a training program for judges and court employees on the subject. Santarsiero says he introduced it in response to the murder of seven-year-old Kayden Mancuso. She was killed by her father during a court-ordered visit.