I have been watching with interest the painfully slow passage of Bill 89.
This is a Provincial Private Members Bill introduced by MPP Cam Jackson which calls for, among other considerations, an automatic coroner's inquest when a child dies while in the care of a parent who is, or has been, the subject of a court access order.
The Bill was originally considered in 2004 and was passed unanimously and was supposed to go to the Legislature's Standing Committee on Justice Policy but it was dropped!
The Bill, also known as Kevin and Jared's Law, came into being through the efforts of Burlington resident Marjorie Latimer whose grandchild Kevin suffered fatal injuries from a fall from an apartment window while in the care of his father, who at the time was estranged from Kevin's mother.
The Bill is also named for Jared Osidacz of Brantford who was stabbed to death by his father earlier this year.
Bill 89 received second reading this Spring and is now going to an all-party Standing Committee for public discussion. There are two days of public hearings set aside on August 29 and 30 at Queen's Park. The public can make presentations (if room is available (not my words)). To get more information about attending or writing a submission call 416 325-7352.
A third reading means if cabinet passes the proposed Bill, to be introduced around the third week of September, it will become law.
While Marjorie Latimer and Cam Jackson are to be commended for advancing this Bill, I cannot help but wonder why a piece of legislation like this, aimed at protecting those who are least capable of defending themselves and possibly saving young lives, can take so long to process into law.
Why was it dropped in 2004? Will it pass this time? I'll let you know!