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When it comes to parental rights legislation, what’s the hurry?
Despite the high profile of the Parker Jensen case, is Utah’s child protection system really in such horrible disarray that some sort of immediate fix needs to be rushed through the legislative process? Are the rights of parents being trampled upon so severely that laws must be quickly passed to protect them?
KSL thinks not!
Even Daren Jensen, Parker’s dad, as reported by Associated Press, wisely urged caution as he warned of a damaging pendulum swing too far in favor of parental rights. That view made more sense than Jensen’s subsequent testimony before a legislative committee in support of one of the controversial measures making its way through the lawmaking process.
In today’s world, KSL believes there must be appropriate balance between protecting children from harm or abuse . . . and protecting the rights of parents to be parents. As yet, that delicate balance cannot be found in any of the legislation that is currently being considered.
On this emotion-filled issue, KSL urges lawmakers to slow down. Nothing’s broken so badly as to require immediate action. Waiting a year to responsibly revisit the issue, in the long run, will be in the best interest of both children and parents.
