Statehouse News Bureau

The Statehouse News Bureau provides educational, comprehensive coverage of legislation, elections, issues and other activities surrounding the Statehouse to Ohio's public radio and television stations.

Senate Proposal Helps Parents Avoid Child Custody Relinquishment

By Andy Chow

Published June 13, 2019 at 7:34 PM EDT

Sen. Matt Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls), Senate Finance Committee chair [Andy Chow] — Sen. Matt Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls), Senate Finance Committee chair

The Ohio Senate’s budget plan adds more money to the fund that helps children who are dealing with severe mental and developmental issues while shifting policy to help parents maintain custody of their children in the process.

The Senate heard the testimony of several parents who were forced to give up their kids to get state-paid treatment.

Sen. Matt Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls), Senate Finance Committee chair, says their budget will change the rules to avoid child custody relinquishment.

“We’re trying to make sure the stories we heard in committee just don’t happen anymore that all of the sudden they can’t even be present when the doctor is talking to their child, when health care decisions are being made,” says Dolan.

The Senate’s budget adds another $10 million to the fund for what’s known as multi-system youth.