Utah’s Om’s Law: HB 272
An open letter to the Utah House Judiciary Committee in support of Om’s Law (HB 272).
To:
Rep. Jon Hawkins (R), Chair jhawkins@le.utah.gov
Rep. Nelson T. Abbott (R), Vice Chair nabbott@le.utah.gov
Rep. Cheryl K. Acton (R) cacton@le.utah.gov
Rep. Kera Birkeland (R) kbirkeland@le.utah.gov
Rep. Tyler Clancy (R) tclancy@le.utah.gov
Rep. Brian S. King (D) briansking@le.utah.gov
Rep. Karianne Lisonbee (R) karilisonbee@le.utah.gov
Rep. Anthony E. Loubet (R) aloubet@le.utah.gov
Rep. Judy Weeks Rohner (R) jrohner@le.utah.gov
Rep. Rex P. Shipp (R) rshipp@le.utah.gov
Rep. Christine F. Watkins (R) christinewatkins@le.utah.gov
Rep. Mark A. Wheatley (D) markwheatley@le.utah.gov
Jonathan Adams, Policy Analyst jonadams@le.utah.gov
Subject: Om’s Law HB 272
Dear House Judiciary Committee;
One year ago, I drove through three states (almost 1,000 miles) to attend a gathering at the Utah State Capitol. As an advocate for family court reform, Utah has been on my radar for a very long time.
On February 17, 2023, I stood on the steps of the Capitol Building and next to me was a woman by the name of Leah Moses. Desperate to protect her two children, she was holding a sign that read, "Children's rights are human rights." That afternoon, we had lunch together and I was able to hear her story.
Caption: Gathering for Ty and Brynlee Larson and Kayden’s Law (now, Om’s Law)
Like so many victims of domestic abuse, Leah believed the societal messaging that if she was "brave enough" to leave the abuse, she and her children would be safe and protected. Unfortunately, she was met with the harsh reality of post separation abuse and the failures of the family court system. Like so many other survivors, Leah discovered that the abuse post separation is often worse than the abuse suffered during the relationship because it involves institutional betrayal. The system that is supposed to protect survivors is failing miserably and the ones suffering the most are the children.
Less than three months after I stood with Leah Moses in Salt Lake City, Utah, her son Om was murdered by his father. The only thing more tragic than a child being murdered as a result of a family court failure, is the fact that it was preventable. If HB 272 were in place a year ago, Om would still be here today.
The support for this bill and the opposition to this bill is very easy to differentiate:
Supporters of this bill have one goal: protecting children.
The opposition is driven by: self-interest, personal profit and the family court "referral system." We know the opposition is often loud, aggressive and they work hard to muddy the water. Anyone opposing a bill that would protect children is holding a giant red flag and I ask that you pay close attention. Family court is an industrial complex with a lot of unscrupulous professionals making a great deal of money; that money is made at the expense of vulnerable children and survivors of domestic abuse. I have previously described this as the biggest multi-level marketing scheme of our lifetime. Financially, it is in the opposition's best interest to keep things status quo but that is not what is in the best interest of Utah's children. If we keep things status quo, children will continue to be sent into abusive situations and children will continue to be murdered.
We are counting on you to help protect children in Utah’s family court system by passing Om’s Law (HB 272). At this exact moment, you are cradling the lives of Utah's children in your hands. Utah has the opportunity to be a leader when it comes to child safety and the whole world is watching.
We ask you to do the right thing: pass this common sense, non-partisan legislation. Please pass Om’s Law.
Sincerely,
Tina Swithin
