"He is as healthy as could be," Christensen said, describing the agency reaction as a "huge gang tackle" that forced a good family into an unfair and expensive fight.

"I wish all the precision paid to the language in this bill had been applied to the state agencies," he said.

One proposal by the state Division of Child Welfare and Family Services may help deal with the problem by setting up a medical review board that would deliver a second opinion in those cases like Jensen's where a doctor has ordered certain treatment.

The board would review the information and issue an opinion regarding actions by the parent.

Adam Trupp, a DCFS policy analyst, said the approach would not solve all problems but would allow for additional information to prevent hasty action.

"The question is whether the state should intervene," he said. "This would allow the process to slow down a bit and make sure we are in the right place, playing the right role, rather than jumping forward."

---

E-mail: amyjoi@desnews.com