Governor Rowland: Number 22

WHEREAS, two out of every five American children experience the consequences of divorce and over 11,000 marriages in Connecticut each year end in divorce; and

WHEREAS, half of all divorces in Connecticut involve children and custody issues; and

WHEREAS, of the nearly 9,000 children in Connecticut that are affected annually by divorce, 69% are under ten years of age; and

WHEREAS, the process of divorce and parental conflict may last for many months, if not years, frequently giving inadequate consideration to the best interests of the children; and

WHEREAS, parental conflict and divorce may have detrimental long-term effects on the children that can permanently shape children�s attitudes, lifestyles, and mental health; and

WHEREAS, an effective strategy for addressing the issues of divorce and custody and their effect on children requires a comprehensive approach including research, education and communication;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, John G. Rowland, Governor of the State of Connecticut, acting by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the statutes of this state, so hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

1.	That there be created a Commission on Custody, Divorce, and Children (hereinafter Commission) to study the issues of divorce, custody and children in Connecticut and make recommendations on how the State can improve the system. Emphasis shall be placed on the following: How the judicial, family services and other state agencies can work together more effectively; How the state can maximize the collaboration of state agencies and the academic and private communities with expertise in the areas of divorce, custody and children; The approaches that need to be emphasized and more effectively used as the state interfaces with children of divorce; The major successes and challenges of the family court system from both the national and Connecticut perspectives; and The perspective of the advocacy community as to what is in the best interest of children of divorce.
2.	That Mr. Thomas C. Foley and Judge Anne C. Dranginis shall serve as the co- Chairpersons of the Commission.
3.	That the Commission shall be comprised of not more than 20 people including judges, lawyers, family service personnel, child psychologists, psychiatrists, and parents including: Judge Ian McLachlan Judge Herbert Gruendel Judge Lynda B. Munro Marsha Kline-Pruett, Ph.D. Jerry Brodlie, Ph.D. Ken Robson Stephen Grant Eugene Falco, Esq. Christine Whitehead, Esq. Sidney Horowitz, Ph.D. Nancy A. Humphreys, Ph.D. Pat D�Angelo Phyllis Cummings-Texeria Robert Tompkins o. Jill Davies, Esq.
4.	That the following persons, or their designees, may also be invited by the Chairperson to serve on the Commission�s working groups: the Chief State�s Attorney, Chief Public Defender, Probate Court Administrator, Commissioners from the Insurance Department, Department of Mental Retardation, Department of Children and Families, Office of the Child Advocate, the Office of Health Care Access, Department of Social Services, and legislators with expertise in the areas children, divorce, and custody.
5.	That the Commission shall be staffed by the Office of Policy and Management.
6.	That the Commission shall report back to the Governor on its conclusions and recommendations within one year of the date of the issuance of this order.