- MISSION STATEMENT
We believe that no greater vocation can be had by a man or woman
than to be a parent. Our purpose is to promote the equality of that vocation and to
offer men and women an organization for their mutual support and to pursue their equal
rights.
WE ARE COMMITTED TO joint custody in temporary and permanent court orders and the just
enforcement of equal parenting time; professional standards for mediators and a system
that would presume mediation over an adversarial resolution of domestic matters; the equal
parental and custodial rights of unwed parents; equality and fairness in child support
legislation and the importance of fathers in their children's lives.
The Fathers' Rights Association of Western New York is a private, not for profit
organization composed of men and women volunteers. The organization provides
counseling, education and a support system for parents and family members, primarily
non-custodial parents, who have been affected by family structure breakdowns.
Membership dues are $25.00 per year. Checks should be made payable to Fathers'
Rights Association and sent to P.O. Box 83, Williamsville, NY 14231,
or call (716) 635-8323 for more information.
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- LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
Our legislative agenda includes supporting the following bills
in the NYS legislature. Click on the highlighted text to see the current status of the
bill (to check on the status of ANY bill, click HERE).
Many of our members have committed to a sustained letter writing campaign. It is rather
contagious and, once you start writing our elected officials, you won't be able to stop.
Demand to be kept informed! If you don't know who your local Assemblyman or Senator is,
check your phone book. Send letters to the office nearest you!
If you want to see what the various committees are doing (or not doing), make sure
to check out their reports, like the Judiciary
Committee Report or the Task Force on Women's Issues.
Parenting Terminology
S4519
A3139
Eliminates references in the domestic relations law, social services law and
family court act to "visitation" of a child, and replaces them with
"parenting time."
Parenting Education
S1983/A3176
Authorizes the court to order the parties to a proceeding for custody or
visitation with a child to attend a program of instruction designed to lessen the
potentially detrimental impact of such proceeding upon the child or children.
Access Enforcement (#1)
S333
A3294
Creates the crime of custodial interference in the third degree as a class A
misdemeanor; rasies custodial interference in the second degree to a class E felony;
raises custodial interference in the first degree to a class D felony.
Access Enforcement (#2)
S816
A5942
Authorizes the provision of restitution and reparation upon the conviction of
custodial interference in the first degree for expenses related to the discovery and
return of the child abducted, and any medical and psychological expenses made necessary as
the result of the commission of such felony; creates presumption in custodial interference
cases that a person against whom an order of custody or visitation has been served, such
person is presumed to know any violation of such order is illegal and that he has no legal
right to take such an action.
Mediation Prior to Litigation
A750
"Child Custody Reform Act:" Mike Powers personally worked with Colman's
office. Colman is a Democrat in the Assembly from Orange County. This bill would mandate
mandatory mediation for a specified period of time prior to litigation in contested
custody matters. Has strong support from a number of local child psychologists but, of
course, N.O.W. hates the concept. We need to broach this issue with Saland. Presently has
no Senate sponsor.
Shared Parenting and Joint Custody
A3950
Shared parenting bill with Sidikman as Assemly sponsor and Johnson as the sponsor in
the Senate.
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