Children's Rights Fund
"Serving children first; supporting family always."
Our history...
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2011
In January 2011, David L. Levy and David W. Smith Sr. founded the Children's Rights Fund; their vision and mission is all about advocating, educating and legislating as their focus and the Children's Rights Fund focus is to secure the "best interest" of the children plus protect the rights of the children with both parents.
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2013
A special thanks to Darrell Carrington for all of his lobbying efforts and his incredible perserverance in getting this bill to become law.
In April 2013, the Maryland Legislature overwhelmingly passed HB687, which created a "Commission on Child Custody Decision Making." The Commission held five (5) public hearings around the state.
2014
The 2014 goal of the Children's Rights Fund and the Commission was to review ALL aspets of Maryland family law. The Commission submitted an interim report in December 2013. The Commission broke into sub-commitees and worked throughout 2014. The Commission had until December 1st, 2014 to make its final recommendations and submit its report. The Commission submitted the final report on December 1st, 2014 for the 2015 Maryland Legislature to review.
2014
In November 2014, the Children's Rights Fund Co-Founder and Commissioner David L. Levy submitted his "Minority Report" against the Commission's recommendations and final report. You can review David L. Levy's minority report here.
2015
In January 2015, the Children's Rights Fund drafted and submitted legislation to the Maryland Legislature with the support of their lead bill sponsors Senator Anthony Muse and Delegate Jill P. Carter with bills SB0650/HB0888 "Rebuttable Presumption of Joint Custody" for our shared parenting initiative.
2015 Legislation
SB0650 & HB0888
Rebuttable Presumption of Joint Custody (Shared Parenting)
Bill Hearing Dates:
Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee
Tuesday March 3rd, 2015
SB0650 Committee hearing
House Judiciary Committee
Thursday March 5th, 2015
HB0888 Committee hearing 3/5/15
Friday March 13th, 2015 *(Make up day due to inclement weather)
HB0888 Committee hearing 3/13/15
Maryland Commission on Child Custody Decision Making
*FAILED TO REACH A FAVORABLE RECOMMENDATION* (A Minority Report was filed against the Commission)
2016
In January 2016, the Children's Rights Fund drafted and submitted legislation to the Maryland Legislature with the support of their lead bill sponsors Senator Anthony Muse and Delegate Jill P. Carter with bills SB0962/HB1386 "Rebuttable Presumption of Joint Custody" for our shared parenting initiative.
2016 Legislation
SB0962 / HB1386
Rebuttable Presumption of Legal Decision Making and Parenting Time (Shared Parenting)
Committee Bill Hearing Dates:
Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee
March 8th, 2016
SB0962 Committee Hearing
House Judiciary Committee
March 9th, 2016
HB1386 Committee Hearing
HB0259
Child Support - Custody and Visitation Determinations
Passed the House!
House Judiciary Committee
Committee Hearing
Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee
March 22nd, 2016
Committee Hearing
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2017 Legislation
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SB0905
Legal Decision Making and Parenting Time: Shared Parenting Time for Family Equality ACT
(Rebuttable Presumption of Shared Parenting)
Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee
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SB1032/HB0812
Grandparent Visitation
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HB0812
House Judiciary Committee
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SB1032
Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee
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SB1095
Child Support - Custody & Visitation Determination
Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee