The following four bills will be open for testimony by the public on Thursday March 28 starting at 1 pm. This is an opportunity for our group to speak of the issues we have had to deal with concerning Guardians ad litem, the Judiciary and Divorce Industry. The three that would help parents and children are LD 551, 872 and 975. LD 522 is a bill from the Judiciary which would take control in house of Guardians ad litem. In almost 40 years they have not been able to correct problems that many in the Judiciary and divorce industry do not see. Should LD 522 pass it would mean that reform would be a dead issue at least for this session. What ever momentum we currently have would be lost. The fight will be harder. How many families and children have to be hurt before there is meaningful change? You will have an opportunity to stop that hurt and help others that are experiencing the horrors of a Guardian ad litem gone wrong. Your voice is needed. Please help
LD 522, SP 212, An Act To Amend the Guardian Ad Litem Laws
Link to PDF of bill: LD 522, SP 212
Link to schedule
LD 551, HP 370, An Act To Establish Certification Standards for
Guardians Ad Litem
Link to PDF of bill: LD 551, HP 370
Link to schedule
LD 872, SP 297, An Act To Improve the Quality of Guardian ad Litem
Services for the Children and Families of Maine
Link to PDF of bill: LD 872, SP 297
Link to schedule
LD 975, HP 689, An Act To Ensure Accountability of Guardians Ad Litem
and Parenting Coordinators
Link to PDF of bill: LD 975, HP 689
Link to Schedule
For more information please contact us at MeGALalert@gmail.com or like us on Facebook for up to date information on Guardian ad litem reform. In addition please find below the email addresses of our representatives who are on the Judiciary Committee. Write to them and let them know how Guardian ad litem reform is important to you. How it is important to divorcing families. But.... mostly how important it is to our children who will continue to be harmed by the current process.
Judiciary Committee List:
Linda M. Valentino D York County P. O. Box 1049 Saco ME 04072 (207) 282-5227
senatorvalentino@gmail.com
John L. Tuttle Jr. D York County 176 Cottage Street Sanford ME 04073 (207) 324-5964
SenJohn.Tuttle@legislature.maine.gov
David C. Burns R Washington County 159 Dodge Road Whiting ME 04691 (207) 733-8856
SenDavid.Burns@legislature.maine.gov
Charles R. Priest D Brunswick 9 Bowker Street Brunswick ME 04011 (207) 725-5439
cpriest1@comcast.net RepCharles.Priest@legislature.maine.gov
Kimberly J. Monaghan-Derrig D Cape Elizabeth 6 Russet Lane Cape Elizabeth ME 04107 (207) 749-9443
kmderrig@maine.rr.com RepKim.Monaghan-Derrig@legislature.maine.gov
Jennifer DeChant D Bath 1008 Middle Street Bath ME 04530 (207) 442-8486
dechantforbath@gmail.com RepJennifer.DeChant@legislature.maine.gov
Matthew W. Moonen D Portland 17 Pine Street #2 Portland ME 04102 (207) 332-7823
matt.moonen@gmail.com RepMatt.Moonen@legislature.maine.gov
Stephen W. Moriarty D Cumberland 34 Blanchard Road Cumberland ME 04021 (207) 829-5095
smoriarty108@aol.com repsteve.moriarty@legislature.maine.gov
Lisa Renee Villa D Harrison P. O. Box 427 Harrison ME 04040 (207) 776-3118
Villa98staterep@gmail.com RepLisa.Villa@legislature.maine.gov
Jarrod S. Crockett R Bethel P. O. Box 701 Bethel ME 04217 (207) 875-5075
jarrodscrockett@gmail.com RepJarrod.Crockett@legislature.maine.gov
Michael G. Beaulieu R Auburn 27 Sherman Avenue Auburn ME 04210 (207) 784-0036
mike@mikeformaine.org RepMike.Beaulieu@legislature.maine.gov
Anita Peavey Haskell R Milford 17 Pine Street Milford ME 04461 (207) 827-7296
RepAnita.Peaveyhaskell@legislature.maine.gov
Stacey K. Guerin R Glenburn 79 Phillips Road Glenburn ME 04401 (207) 884-7118
repguerin@gmail.com RepStacey.Guerin@legislature.maine.gov
Wayne T. Mitchell D Penobscot Nation 14 Oak Hill Street, Penobscot Nation Indian Island ME 04468 (207) 827-0392
waymitch10@hotmail.com RepWayne.Mitchell@legislature.maine.gov
I don't like speaking in public. Do I have to say anything if I go?
ReplyDeleteYou do not have to say anything at this meeting. Speaking for myself - I am nervous about saying anything. About whether my story is worthy or not. I am going to say something because of my son and the harm that has come to him as a result of my GAL. If I can prevent harm from coming to another family - it will be worth it. We will be there early to meet those that are able to make the meeting.
ReplyDeleteI am not able to make it at 1 can I show up later?
ReplyDeleteSorry for the late reply - yes that is okay. There will be four bills that are going to be covered and we expect that it will be a very long day. I will be staying until the end. Come for as long as you can. Come when you can. Leave when you have to. It is important to show up because there will be many people from the divorce industry, Maine Guardian ad litem Institute (MEGALI) and the Judicial Branch. They will be there telling the committee that the problems with GALs are minimal. Your being there will say otherwise. Even if you don't speak.
DeleteI can't help but be a little nervous; but I am so excited! It seems that there are many people that have suffered, and that maybe, just maybe, we can help other children before they live the nightmare we know. It feels a little strange to feel so upbeat about something that has shredded the very fabrics of my family... I feel almost guilty for it. It doesn't stop me from basking in a sense of accomplishment by being an active part of this. I say this a lot, almost everyday: If I can prevent one child from living the nightmare that my family has come to know- I will have been successful. There is no hope to repair the damages done in my family, but that wont stop me from preventing the same things from happening to another.
ReplyDeleteVirginia, you are going to be in good company and I look forward to meeting you in person on Thursday. It will be a very interesting day.
DeleteGreetings! Very useful advice within this post! It's the little changes that make the largest changes. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletemy blog - mzansi cleaners
I want to come and testify on Thursday - I am currently in a custody dispute and the GAL is not making sense. I have expressed my concerns about what she is doing. That being said she found out that I wanted to testify on Thursday - she told me that should I testify things may not go all that well for me in court. What can I do?
ReplyDeleteYour situation is not unique. We have heard of several instances where parents have been threatened by the GALs. There comes a point where you have to say enough is enough this is wrong. I would guess that this GAL is scared that is doing something wrong. Would love you to show up to make a statement to the committee about what this GAL has done. Email us at MeGALalert@gmail.com
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