Governor kept busy signing measures dealing with kids

CARSON CITY -- Several measures dealing with children, ranging from child custody cases to juvenile offenders, were signed into law Thursday by Gov. Kenny Guinn.

The bills include Assembly Bill 544, by Assemblywoman Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, requiring parents with joint custody arrangements to file for a change in custody status before moving out of state.

And in a new custody hearing, a judge must consider the best interest of the child.

The governor also signed legislation to help grandparents of divorced couples maintain contact with their grandchildren.

Assembly Bill 436, by Assemblywoman Merle Berman, R-Las Vegas, would allow courts to consider grandparents' visitation rights based on whether or not the child regularly saw them, if the child ever lived with the grandparents or if they financially supported the child

The measure also includes anyone who has been a child's primary caregiver, whether related to the child or not. This would include step-parents and step-grandparents.

Guinn also signed Assembly Bill 221, requiring psychological examinations for youths who torture animals or use guns to commit crimes. AB221 would require local jurisdictions to focus on children who may have serious psychological problems and may be victims of abuse themselves, says the bill's author, Assemblyman Bernie Anderson, D-Sparks.

Under the bill, children brought in for gun or animal abuse offenses would be detained until they're evaluated -- a process that could take up to three days. After that, they could return to their families if a judge allows it.

Guinn also signed Assembly Bill 262, by Assemblyman David Parks, D-Las Vegas. That bill would give police officers more leeway in notifying the parents of minors who are arrested. The current law says police must immediately notify the parents. AB262 would change that to say the police must contact the parents "without undue delay."

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