TRIBAL ALERT: SUPPORT NEEDED FOR SB 678

TRIBAL ALERT!
SUPPORT NEEDED FOR SB 678, A BILL TO IMPROVE COMPLIANCE WITH
THE INDIAN CHILD WELFARE ACT

March 21, 2005

Last week, at the request of the Pala Band of Mission Indians and with the support of Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association, State Senator Denise Ducheny introduced SB 678, a bill to improve compliance by state courts and county agencies with the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). To view the text of the bill, visit http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/sen/sb_0651-0700/sb_678_bill_20050222_introduced.html (opens new window). Click here to view an executive summary of SB 678 (Word doc - opens new window).

This bill represents an important opportunity to promote and protect the rights guaranteed to Indian children, families, and tribes under ICWA. There are several immediate steps you can take to help with this effort.

Suggest amendments: Please take some time to review the bill and, if you have suggestions for amendments or comments, please submit them as soon as possible in writing to jwillisnewton@calindian.org.
Submit resolutions or letters of support: Submit a resolution or letter in support of the bill to California Indian Legal Services, Attn: Joanne Willis Newton, 609 S. Escondido Blvd., Escondido, CA, 92025. These will be collected and submitted to Senator Ducheny’s office. Click here for a sample resolution (Word Document - opens new window). If you would a copy of the sample resolution emailed to you, please contact Joanne Willis Newton at (800) 743-8941, ext. 114 or jwillisnewton@calindian.org.
Testify: If you have representatives who are available and willing to testify in support of the bill about difficulties your tribe has encountered with the implementation of ICWA by state courts and county agencies, please have them contact Joanne Willis Newton at (800) 743-8941, ext. 114 or jwillisnewton@calindian.org.

For more information

CILS will be arranging one or more informational meetings, which will be held during the weeks of March 7 and/or 14 to review the bill in detail with interested tribal representatives. If you would like to attend such a meeting, please contact Joanne Willis Newton, Senior Staff Attorney, at CILS’ Escondido Office, tel. (800) 743-8941, ext. 114, as soon as possible.

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