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ASSEMBLY BILL 994 (STIRLING – 1977)

CHAPTER 207, STATUTES OF 1977, AB 994

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As enacted in 1977, Assembly Bill 994 amended former sections 7008 and 7017 of the Civil Code, relating to parent and child.  (See Exhibit #1c)  Assembly Bill 994 was introduced by Assembly member Dave Stirling on March 17, 1977 for the Children’s Lobby.  (See Exhibits #1a and #11, document PE-3) 

During legislative consideration, Assembly Bill 994 was heard by the Assembly and Senate Committees on Judiciary.  (See Exhibits #3 and #6)  It was amended only once while pending in the Senate on May 11, 1977.  (See Exhibit #1b)  On June 30th, Assembly Bill 994 was approved by Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr., and enacted as Chapter 207 of the Statutes of 1977.  (See Exhibits #1c and #2)

Assembly Bill 994 was described in the materials of the Assembly Committee on Judiciary to have been sponsored by a Donald Fibush, a self-described “volunteer children’s advocate.”  (See Exhibits #3 and #4, document AP-1)  He was also listed on the letterhead of the California Association of Adoption Agencies as their Legislative Chairman.  (See Exhibit #4, document AP‑2)  The Association letters written during the consideration of Assembly Bill 994 by the Legislature, in turn, state that the bill was recommended by the State Bar Association Committee on Adoption.  (See Exhibit #4, document AP‑2)

Materials in the file of the author revealed that Beverly Hills Attorney David Leavitt represented the Bar Committee in communications on this bill.  (See Exhibit #10, in general)