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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (April 12, 1995)
Amendment may impact fathers’ rights By Jen Handaii Staff Reporter State legislators spent most of the day Tuesday discussing the fate of an amendment that would establish a registry for biological parents. The amendment, sponsored by Sen. Gerald Matzke of Sidney, also modified an earlier amendment from Sen. Elaine Stuhr of Bradshaw. Stuhr’ s amendment, co-sponsored by Matzke and Sen. Don Wesely of Lincoln, would provide for notifica tion of the biological father when a child bom out of wedlock is put up for adoption. Stuhr supported Matzke’s amend ment, which replaced hers after pass ing on a 26-0 vote. Debate over the revised amendment’s fate continued after that, with a number of other senators entering into the discussion. Matzke answered a variety of ques tions from other senators and ex plained the basic aspects of the legis lation. He said that, under the proposed bill, the biological father would re ceive notice either through the mail or, if his address was unknown by the mother, through the publication of the proposed adoption in local news papers. Following the notification, the father would have five days to reply with an intention to pursue custody of the child. If a reply is not received within that five-day period, the fa ther will have relinquished his paren tal rights. Matzke said the time limit on pa rental notification was designed to protect children from fathers who sought to remove them from adop tive homes. “We want the father to take re sponsibility and make his mind up before that child becomes a part of another family,” Matzke said. “We want him to have his rights, but we want him to decide upon those rights before it will disrupt the life of the child.” Discussion continued over a pro vision that would allow the biologi cal mother to take her child back if the father were to attempt to obtain custody. Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha rose in opposition to that provision, saying it worked against the rights of the biological father. Keeping the father as far away from the child as possible was the primary intention of such laws, Cham bers said. He said such methods forced children in and out of temporary homes, serving only to make sure the child was adopted rather than given to the natural parents. “I see this as a stratagem to help those agencies and to keep this ball bouncing,” he said. Referring to both private and reli gious adoption agencies as “baby peddlers,” Chambers attacked both the financial aspects of adoption and the attitudes of his fellow legislators. “In their campaigns, everyone talks about family values and the strength of the family unit,” he said, “But I don’t see concern for the child in any of these discussions.” Chambers also introduced an amendment that would give a bio logical mother who has signed an agreement to relinquish her child 90 days to change her mind. Under Nebraska law, relinquish ment agreements are irrevocable, unless die biological mother proves she made her decision under duress. Chambers said 90 days would give the mother opportunity to reflect on her decision. Senators who opposed Chambers’ amendment said a woman had nine months to decide on adoption. Lengthening the decision-making period would only add to the mother’s anxiety and would not affect her de cision, they said. Sen. David Bemard-Stevens of North Platte tried to compromise by offering an amendment to change the time period allowed from 90 days to 14, but the amendment failed. No action was taken on Cham bers’ amendment. Staff Reporter John Fulwlder contrib uted to this report NU provost withdraws from presidency race From The Associated Press The University of Nebraska ex ecutive vice president and provost withdrew Tuesday from consideration for the presidency of Bowling Green State University, a university spokes man said. Joe Rowson, NU spokesman, said provost LeevB. Jones, one of two finalists, did not give a reason for his decision to withdraw. The other finalist for the post was Sidney Ribeau, vice president for academic affairs at California State Polytechnic University. Current Bowling Green President Paul Olscamp will step down at the end of June. Bowling Green is a university with 16,600 students located in Bowling Green, Ohio. In an instant a stroke can change your life forever American Heart Association Fighting Heart Disease and Stroke Reduce your risk factors mmm grn & For a// yourfmecri over-the-counter medication ^acuity &. Stajj YOdcome! . NEBRASKA Baseball vs. CREIGHTON B go: a 13th A Q S tract • 47M111 HOMS OF THE ORIGINAL big Red collection © WEDNESDAY April 12 7 p.m. Buck Beltzer Field 4 $2 - General admission Free - Full time UNL student with photo I.D. Now that you have your computer account you can discover how to tap into the resources available to you on the internet. These classes are free and no reservations are required. Seats are available on a first come, first served basis. Call 472-0515 if you have any questions. 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