[cladd]

Imagine this...you or your child divorces a abusive spouse, that spouse never wanted anything to do with your child but, use him/her for controll. Now add in the fact that the abusive spouses parent is also abusive and controlling, that person is your child's grandparent. The grandparent pushes the abusive parent to go after visitation rights, rights are given by the judge, because of proven abuse and neglect during visitation and the fact that abusive parent moved out of state to follow his mother then visitation rights are taen away, enter abusive grandmother..files for visitation rights and because of grandparent visitation rights laws and the pre-conceived idea that most judges have that grandparent contact is in the best interest of the child, and the prejudices that the judge brings into the court room despite testimony and proof of abusive acts and domestic violence in volving the grandmother the judge orders visitation anyway. The parent fights to protect her child and is threatened repeatedly with jail in the meantime abusive father has paid no support and has not attempted contact for over a year, so step-father files for adoption and wins the right to adopt. The state of Ohio currently does not allow for visitation with post adoptive relatives after step-parent adoption...therefore finally the child is protected. WRONG!!! Ohio has current legislation pending called HB 144 that will allow relative visitation rights after step-parent adoption..they are not going to allow it after "stranger adoption " the difference they are maing is un-constitutional. Ohio is saying that a child adopted by a step-parent does not have the same right to a new life and beginning as a child adopted by a stranger!? What will be the sence in a step-parent adopting their step-child if you can be court ordered to allow contact with the biological relatives ? Please write in opposition to grandparent visitation rights and to pending HB 144, to ALL of Ohio's representatives, I can't do it alone and one day this may be you or your child facing these laws and a judge in a court room taing you right to mae desisions regarding the best interest of your child. For more information go to parentsrights.org or to parentsrights.com Than you, A grandma in Ohio