Committee adopts technical kinship and grandparenting amendments and advances House Bill 13-14

Representative English presented multiple sponsor amendments (L001–L003) to House Bill 13-14 that removed several contested sections, clarified the definitions of grandparent and great-grandparent in kinship statutes, updated cross-references, and realigned statutory language on placement considerations.

Drafters from the Office of Legislative Legal Services confirmed that related statutory language exists elsewhere and offered to follow up with precise cross-reference locations. Committee members engaged on the legal standard language (preponderance of the evidence) and the sponsors committed to additional interim stakeholder work on the grandparent piece.

After discussion and amendment, Representative English moved the bill as amended to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation. The roll call recorded a 9–4 vote and the committee adjourned.