Action Alert: increasing parent rep compensation
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Dear Practitioners:
THANK YOU?to all of you who have contacted your legislators!
YOUR ADVOCACY IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE. I am hearing from legislators that they are hearing from you!
HB893, carried by Delegate Adele McClure, in a reduced state after coming out of House Courts, is now heading to the General Government Subcommittee of House Appropriations.?
This is the BIGGEST hurdle. In past years, legislation to improve compensation has died in House Appropriations. IF the bill makes it out of House Approps, it will then need to pass the entire House; then Senate Courts of Justice; then Senate Finance. So we
are far from certain of success. Your advocacy is vital to keeping this bill alive!
The bill will increase compensation from $120 / $158 to
$445?and $1235. Not enough, but it's better than what we have now. The bill will also ensure practitioners receive parent representation-specific training, not just the minimal GAL training. This is especially vital for new practitioners who may
join the list when the rates are increased. You can read the current version of the bill as amended here:
Please contact the nine subcommittee members and explain how these low rates impact
your ability to represent parents. You can find their contact information here: .?
The subcommittee could hear the bill as early as Wednesday 2/7. The members may wonder
why HB102, the bill to increase the misdemeanor rates, is not sufficient. OUR bill would peg compensation to felony rates instead of misdemeanor rates.?The misdemeanor rates are not sufficient. Our bill makes the point that these matters are serious
and deserving of more consideration.
Thank you!
Valerie L'Herrou
NACC Virginia State Coordinator
Valerie L¡¯Herrou
Deputy Director, Center for Family Advocacy
Fax: (804) 649-0974 ? |
Valerie L'Herrou