It’s every parent’s worst nightmare… someone physically abusing your child.
In Amy’s case, the father of her 3 month-old child had broken 5 of his bones and hit him in the face twice. He admitted it. While in court, he admitted to abusing the child on several occasions.
And, while he was sentenced to 5 months, he served just 12 days in jail and on home-monitoring after.
Additionally, the court ignored the baby’s pediatrician and mental health therapist’s request for the father not to see the child. He is allowed supervised visitation for one year, and then unsupervised visitation after the year.
(Listen to Amy’s story, in her own words, above.)
Amy is frustrated. We are frustrated.
We have to do better for our children!
And, while the bills don’t cover all of Amy’s wishes, they are a start.
HB 1395 & HB 1396
“Brooks Law”, HB 1395 & HB 1396, are currently being considered in the North Dakota House Judiciary Committee.
Key points of the legislation:
– Minimum mandatory sentences for those who harm victims under the age of 2 (2 years without permanent physical damage, 5 years with).
– Elimination of electronic home monitoring as an option for people who commit Class B Felony child abuse.
– Require those who commit Class B Felony Child Abuse to undergo a MANDATORY parental capacity evaluation, mental health evaluation, and anger management evaluation.
– A more comprehensive registry. A map, pictures, details, etc. like we do for sex offenders.
– A study about trauma-informed courts and judges – are we are serving victims appropriately through our current court system?
Want to reach out to your legislator?
CLICK HERE
to find them.
Want to reach out to the committee?
Find there here:
Kim Koppelman (West Fargo, R, 701-282-9267) kkoppelman@nd.gov
Karen Karls (Bismarck, R, 701-258-6836) kkarls@nd.gov
Rick Becker (Bismarck, R, 701-527-6902) rcbecker@nd.gov
Ruth Buffalo (Fargo, D, 701-491-8175) rbuffalo@nd.gov
Karla Rose Hanson (Fargo, D, 701-793-9181) krhanson@nd.gov
Terry B Jones (New Town, R, 307-272-1915) tbjones@nd.gov
Jeffery J Magrum (Hazelton, R, 701-321-2224) jmagrum@nd.gov
Aaron McWilliams (Hillsboro, R, 701-430-9004) amcwilliams@nd.gov
Bob Paulson (Minot, R, 701-833-4752) bpaulson@nd.gov
Gary Paur (Gilby, R, 218-791-0491) gpaur@nd.gov
Shannon Roers Jones (Fargo, R, 701-630-6746) sroersjones@nd.gov
Bernie Satrom (Jamestown, R, 701-320-7239) blsatrom@nd.gov
Luke Simons (Dickinson, R, 701-483-0013) lsimons@nd.gov
Steve Vetter (Grand Forks, R, 612-770-8689)smvetter@nd.gov
Additional content:
3 ND House Bills Regarding Guns in Schools (2019)
Duane Bowers on “the new normal” for Jayme Closs
Too Much Screen Time Associated with Developmental Delays
(Amy Iler & JJ Gordon are talk-show hosts at 790 AM KFGO in Fargo-Moorhead. “It Takes 2 with Amy & JJ” can be heard weekdays 11am-2pm. Check out the show page on FACEBOOK. Follow Amy on Twitter @AmyKFGO . Follow JJ on Twitter @JJGodon701 .)
