Panel passes proposal for teen emancipation

As a 16-year-old throwaway from Colorado City, Tommy Sam recalled living in a tool shed, quickly running out of propane gas for his heater.

In need of medical attention, Sam told lawmakers Thursday that he was afraid to go to the hospital for fear they would ask for parental permission. He instead passed out for 16 hours.

Now 19 and college bound, Sam told members of the House Judiciary Committee how important it was to set standards in Utah law that would allow others in his situation to emancipate themselves from abusive parents.

HB77 would allow teenagers 16-or-older to petition a juvenile court to emancipate themselves from their parents, allowing them to sign leases, get jobs, pay bills, seek education funding and get medical care.

After expressing some concern over details,

lawmakers unanimously passed the bill and sent it on to the House floor for debate.

The bill's sponsor, Roz McGee, D-Salt Lake, said

currently Utah judges have discretion to emancipate minors, but many of them are reluctant because there are no guidelines.

Jeff St. Romaine told committee members that there are older teens who fall through the cracks of the system. Old enough to be on their own, they find themselves stymied by schools, employers and others who say the law requires parental consent.

"They refer to themselves as throwaway kids," St. Romaine said.

However, some groups oppose the bill, saying that it could be abused by rebellious teens to emancipate themselves from caring parents. The Utah Eagle Forum has opposed the bill, saying it is not "family friendly."

"These parents have thrown these kids out to the

wolves," said Jordan School District Board member

Lynette Phillips. "These kids need a chance."

Because more help is available for younger minors, McGee said the number of kids helped by this bill would be frombetween eight to 12 teens a year.

---

E-mail: gfattah@desnews.com