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Legislation aims to better protect children in custody cases

Posted at 4:10 PM, Feb 10, 2012
and last updated 2012-02-28 12:32:41-05

One Utah lawmaker hopes to create legislation to better protect children like Charlie and Braden Powell.

Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clearfield, has proposed legislation that would protect children involved in custody cases, specifically if the mother or father is a person of interest in a murder or disappearance. He’d like a private hearing or jury to review why the parent in question is a danger to his or her children.

Ray says he doesn’t want to stop visitation between parents and children, but to create a safe zone for all parties.

“We’re learning from the Powell case that you just can’t go out and do business as usual. You can still see your kids but we’re going to come to a secure facility or we’re not going to do it at all,” said Ray.

The legislation would ensure a secure facility for supervised visitations.