05/03/2001 06:08 PM Senate HES

         CSHB 164(JUD)-GRANDPARENTS' RIGHTS REGARDING CINA                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE FRED DYSON,  sponsor of HB 164, said a few years ago,                                                            
after looking  at the  child protection  laws, he  sponsored  a bill                                                            
that passed the legislature  that allows foster parents to sit in on                                                            
permanency  hearings.  CSHB 164(JUD)  will allow grandparents  to be                                                            
notified of a  permanency hearing or termination of  parental rights                                                            
hearing. It  does not make grandparents  a party to the case  but it                                                            
gives them a chance  to attend the hearing.  He noted  that for many                                                            
children, grandparents  are the most  stable people in their  lives.                                                            
The Department  of Health  and Human Services  and the Court  System                                                            
have no problems with the bill.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR  WARD moved  CSHB 164(JUD)  from committee  with  individual                                                            
recommendations and its accompanying fiscal note.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRWOMAN GREEN  noted that with no further testimony  or questions                                                            
about CSHB 164(JUD)  and no opposition to the motion,  CSHB 164(JUD)                                                            
would move to the next committee of referral.