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Doing what we are called to do; doing what we are able to do; doing what must be done.

  

February 2, 2015

ICM 40-Day Legislative Prayer Calendar

for Georgia General Assembly

Please submit a prayer or meditation for one of the 40 days of the legislative session.  Read submitted prayers/meditations at 40-Day Prayer Calendar.
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PLEASE NOTE THE DATE CHANGE
Register Today:  ICM Day at the Capitol 
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
CHILD PROTECTION:
HB 17 - Hidden Predator Act:  Subcommittee Hearing Today
HB 17 Hidden Predator Act, Rep. Jason Spencer (bill sponsor) - This bill calls for extending the statute of limitations for civil actions for childhood sexual abuse by 30 years (to age 53). The Fleming Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Civil Committee will hold a hearing on this bill today, February 2, 2015, at 3:00 p.m. in Room 132 of the Capitol.  
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This bill is on the right track.  While the 30-year extension has generated opposition to the bill, the damaging effects of childhood sexual abuse on brain development are real and last through adulthood. 

Ask:  Please contact members of the subcommittee and recommend a "Do Pass" out of subcommittee.
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Contact Information for Members of the Subcommittee:
CHILD PROTECTION: HB 103 Kelsey's Law

HB 103 Kelsey's Law, Rep. Belton (bill sponsor) - This bill applies to protecting children from being identified in an obscene depiction. It holds that "No person shall intentionally cause a minor to be identified as the individual in an obscene depiction [a visual depiction of an individual displaying nudity] in such a manner that a reasonable person would conclude that the image depicted was that of such minor. Such identification shall include, without limitation, the minor's name, address, telephone number, or e-mail address. Such identification shall also include the electronic imposing of the facial image of a minor onto an obscene depiction. Any person convicted of violating this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor."

 

HB 103 has been assigned to the Judiciary Non-Civil Committee in the House.

EDUCATION: School Discipline and Compulsory Attendance - HB 135, HB 139, SB 56, SB 60

HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE 

HB 135, Too Young to Suspend Act - Rep. Howard, (bill sponsor): This bill advocates that "No public educational institution shall suspend or expel a student in grades pre-kindergarten or kindergarten unless the school principal determines that the student has committed one of the following acts:

-  Willfully caused, attempted to cause, or threatened serious bodily injury to another person, except in self-defense; or 

-  Possessed or furnished to a another person a firearm, knife, explosive, or other dangerous substance or object while on school property."

 

HB 139, Dropout Deterrent Act - Rep. Stephens (bill sponsor):

This bill changes the age range for compulsory attendance.  It holds that "Mandatory attendance in a public school, private school, or home school program shall be required for children between their fifth and seventeenth birthdays. Such mandatory attendance shall not be required where the child has successfully completed all requirements for a high school diploma."


SENATE EDUCATION & YOUTH COMMITTEE

SB 56, Mandatory School Attendance - Sen. Vincent Fort (bill sponsor):  This bill raises the age of compulsory attendance from 16 to 17 years of age.  It holds that "Mandatory attendance in a public school, private school, or home school program shall be required for children between their sixth and seventeenth birthdays. Such mandatory attendance shall not be required where the child has successfully completed all requirements for a high school diploma."

 

This bill is on today's agenda to be assigned to an Education subcommittee.

 

SB 60, Mandatory School Attendance - Sen. Lester Jackson (bill sponsor) - This bill raises the age of compulsory attendance from 16 to 17 1/2 years of age.  It holds that "Mandatory attendance in a public school, private school, or home school program shall be required for children between the ages of six and 17 1/2 years. Such mandatory attendance shall not be required where the child has successfully completed all requirements for a high school diploma."

 

This bill is on today's agenda to be assigned to an Education subcommittee.

PARENTAL NURTURE:
HB 92 - Family Care Act Assigned to Committee

HB 92 Family Care Act, Rep. Tommie Benton (bill sponsor) - Bill calls for employers to allow employees to use up to five days of earned sick leave to care for an immediate family member (e.g., employee's child, spouse, grandchild, grandparent, or parent or any dependents as shown in the employee's most recent tax return) without fear of losing his or her job. The bill specifically speaks to protecting the employee from penalties:   "...an employer may not discharge, demote, suspend, discipline, or otherwise discriminate against an employee or threaten to take any of these actions against an employee who properly exercises rights granted under this Code section."

 

HB 92 has been assigned to the Industry and Labor Committee in the House.

 

Learn more about this bill and how you can support it at ICM Day at the Capitol on February 4th!

CHILD PROTECTION:  
Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST) Lobby Day 2015 - February 12th

Join Georgia Cares, Street Grace, Wellspring Living and youthSpark to raise our collective voice in the fight to end 

Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking. This year's legislative agenda will include advocating for the passage of a Safe Harbor Law and we need you to stand with us in support.

 

February 12, 2015 | 8:00AM

The Historic Freight Depot

65 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive SE

Atlanta, GA 30303

 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

HEALTH CARE:  2015 Open Enrollment for Health Insurance under the Affordable Care Act

The Open Enrollment period for 2015 coverage is November 15, 2014 to February 15, 2015.  If you haven't enrolled in coverage by then, you generally can't buy Marketplace health coverage for 2015 until the next Open Enrollment period for coverage the following year.

 

If you're enrolled in a 2014 Marketplace plan, your benefit year ends December 31, 2014. To continue health coverage in 2015, you can renew your current health plan or choose a new health plan through the Marketplace during the 2015 Open Enrollment period.

 

For more information, visit www.heathcare.gov.

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Department of Health & Human Services Press Release

January 8, 2015

Statements by Secretary Lew and Burwell on preparing for the upcoming tax season and the Affordable Care Act

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO BE INFORMED AND ENGAGED

--  Emory University, the Division of Campus Life and the Office of Student Leadership & Service is excited to launch a new summer leadership camp for high school students.  More information.

-- Atlanta Jewish Film Festival is here!  Click here for 2015 schedule.

--  Kate's Club presents a Discussion on Teen Grief - led by Lane Pease, Program Director of Kate's Club.  How to recognize a grieving teen and how to support the development of healthy coping strategies.  This training will help youth program workers, school counselors, social workers, and teachers, as well as counselors and others who support adolescents.  Please click here to register by Monday, February 9.  If you would like a tour, please arrive by 11:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Lunch will be provided.  Contact Liz Carson at [email protected] with any questions.

 

-- SCLC Women's "Bridging the Gap" Mentoring Program Girls to Women will hold an anti-sex trafficking workshop, Saturday, February 21, 2015, from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., at 328 Auburn Avenue, NE, Atlanta, Georgia, 30303.  Please RSVP by:  February 12, 2015, to 404-584-0303.  Workshop will be led by Pamela Perkins Carn, Interfaith Children's Movement.

ICM Mission and Goals

 

The Interfaith Children's Movement (ICM) is a grassroots, advocacy movement dedicated to improving the well-being of children in Georgia.  ICM was formed in 2001 as an intentional association of individuals and communities of faith from all religious traditions.

 

The Interfaith Children's Movement strives to be a voice for all children in Georgia, but especially the poor and marginalized whose voices are often unheard. 

 

ICM works closely with Georgia's policy-oriented child advocacy organizations, such as: 

ATTENTION  

Grand Theft Auto V is not a video game for children.

Commonsensemedia
.org says "Crime, violence, sex, drugs, and alcohol = not for kids."

Sign ICM's petition today to the Entertainment Software Rating Board to change the rating of this video game.  

Go to:
Make a Special Contribution 
to ICM Today!

 

Your contributions help to create a better Georgia for children.  Make a monthly tax-deductible gift of $25.00 or a one-time gift of $100.00. Please make a secure, on-line, tax-deductible contribution. Do what must be done... GIVE to ICM today.
 
Make a Donation
Prevent Child Abuse Georgia

GA HELPLINE

1-800-CHILDREN

Please share this number widely.

 

Contact PCA of GA if your agency or organization would like to be included in the Helpline Resource and Referral Database

 

Contact Person:

Julia Neighbors

404-413-1419 or [email protected]

Information Resourcing

ICM E-Newsletter Archive

Find Your Legislators
Wednesday's Child Georgia

   

 

Wednesday's Child, sponsored by the Dave Thomas Foundation For Adoption, is a weekly television feature about adoption that helps find permanent, loving, adoptive families for children in foster care.
 
Wednesday's Child Georgia is a partnership of the Georgia Department of Human Services, Dave Thomas Foundation For Adoption  and Fox 5 TV - Atlanta.

 

 

One of the most important things faith communities can do for children is to pray for them.

 

Every child is a child of God.  All children deserve justice, compassion and our prayers.

 

ICM encourages every faith community to become a spiritual witness for children. Hold a worship service in your church, synagogue, masjid / mosque or temple and invite others to join in praying for the well-being of all children.