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John Hollenhorst ReportingAbused or abandoned teenagers have a new tool to cut all legal ties with their parents, and it's being welcomed by teens ejected from the Warren Jeffs polygamy group.
Governor Huntsman today ceremonially signed a bill allowing emancipation -freedom-- from parents. It was applauded by the so-called Lost Boys and even a Lost Girl from the Warren Jeffs group.
The rigid, stifling religious atmosphere of Colorado City. It's all Joe Williams knew until he ran away a few months ago.
Joe Williams, Former F.L.D.S. member: "I mean, I have parents, but they can't come. Don't even know where they are. Haven't talked to them in years. "
He believes his parents were assigned to a new compound by Warren Jeffs and are probably living in South Dakota.
Joe Williams: "Basically abandoned me, treated me like I didn't exist."
Until last fall, he lived with siblings in the FLDS community, but he says he was considered a rebel. He finally decided to leave at age 14 when he got in trouble for listening to music and watching TV.
Joe Williams: "You're considered wicked, and usually the people that do that get kicked out."
With other Lost Boys and a girl, he was on Capitol Hill to support a new law signed by the governor.
Gov. Jon Huntsman, Jr.: "Circumstances occasionally exist where a child must be freed from the legal bonds they have with their parents."
The bill would allow 16 or 17-year olds to petition a judge to sever all the legal ties.
Rep. Lorie Fowlke, Co-sponsor of Bill: "This is not about taking children away from their parents. This is about children who do not have parents who care for them."
They'd have the right to sign contracts, borrow money, get a drivers license, buy and sell property.
Jennifer Broadbent, Former FLDS member: "It makes it so that we can move forward, whether anyone helps us or not, whether legal parents help us or not."
Parents would have the right to challenge the emancipation at a court hearing. But the parents of most concern are not likely o attend.
