Chairperson Humphries opened the Hearing on SB408.

Jason Thompson, Office of Revisor of Statutes, gave the Bill Brief.  (Attachment 4)

Mr. Thompson stood for questions.

Proponents:

Lenore Skenazy, President, Let Grow, Inc.,  shared that independence is foundational to who a child is and their mental health. Research has shown that as free play and activities allowing children's independence has gone down, childhood anxiety, depression, obesity, and even suicide in children have gone up. Free play promotes social problem solving, competence and confidence. This bill would help the authorities charged with keeping children and families safe to use their precious resources to investigate TRUE cases of neglect, and not parents who allow their children to play freely and give them age appropriate responsibility.  (Attachment 5)  

Diane Redleaf, Legal Consultant, Let Grow, Inc., shared that she is working around the country to promote ways to make it easy, normal, and legal to give children reasonable independence. Currently, 12 states have passed similar legislation to this bill. The legislation they support (1) exempts children's independent activities for the state's definition of neglect or "children in need of care" provisions and/or child endangerment; (2) clarifies that endangerment requires evidence of an obvious danger that the parent has negligently disregarded; and (3) provides common-sense examples of independent activities through a non-exclusive listing of activities that children are able to engage in without constant adult supervision.  (Attachment 6)

Ms. Skenazy and Ms. Redleaf stood for questions.

Tanya Keys, Deputy Secretary, Department for Children and Families (DCF), shared the procedure DCF takes when they receive a report concerning the care of a child. DCF feels this bill aligns with the policies and procedures of DCF and they support passage of the bill.  (Attachment 7)

Ms. Keys stood for questions.

The Chairperson drew attention to the Proponent Written Only testimonies:

Kristalle Hedrick, CEO, Children's Alliance of Kansas  (Attachment 8)

Chance Berndt, Assistant Public Defender, Kansas State Board of Indigents' Defense Services (BIDS) Legislative Committee  (Attachment 9)

Kerrie Lonard, Child Advocate, Kansas Office of the Child Advocate  (Attachment 10)

Michael Ramey, President, Parental Rights Foundation  (Attachment 11)

Jonathan Haidt, Thomas Cooley Professor of Ethical Leadership, New York University  (Attachment 12)

Peter Gray, Research Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College  (Attachment 13)

The Chairperson closed the Hearing on SB408.

Chairperson Humphries adjourned the meeting.