Fueled by the Parker Jensen saga of two years ago, more than 30 proposals were introduced in the 2004 session dealing with child welfare — from DCFS to the state guardian ad litem's office.

This year, lawmakers are continuing to craft tweaks to the state law — and a couple of more sweeping measures are expected to be resurrected.

Changes to child welfare garnered lawmakers' attention on the heels of the state's tug of war with Daren and Barbara Jensen over their son, Parker.

Then 12 years old, Parker was said to have a life-threatening form of cancer his doctors said required chemotherapy treatment.

The Jensens objected, fearing the treatments would be more devastating than the illness, and sought alternative care.

Because they went against the advice of doctors, DCFS sought protective custody of Parker and prosecutors filed kidnapping charges against the Jensens, who had left the state.

Eventually, the state backed off the protracted public fight, but the story became a springboard for critics who assert the system exercises too much power.

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E-mail: amyjoi@desnews.com