Campaign

Preserve CA Supreme Court’s LaMusga Decision

Jul. 11, 2004–Apr. 25, 2006

Outcome

We were successful, beating back both SB 730 in 2004 and SB 1482 in 2006. The LaMusga case remains California’s guiding case law on move-aways to this day.

We organized the Alliance for Children Concerned About Move-Aways for the purpose of defeating bills which would have abrogated the California Supreme Court’s decision in LaMusga (2004) and made it very difficult for a non-custodial parent to prevent his or her children from being moved hundreds or thousands of miles away.

Why This Campaign

The Alliance for Children Concerned About Move-Aways (ACCAMA) believes that children’s need for frequent and meaningful contact with both parents after a divorce is paramount.

ACCAMA was organized in July, 2004 for the purpose of defeating SB 730, which would have abrogated the California Supreme Court’s decision in In re Marriage of LaMusga (2004). Under SB 730, it would be very difficult for a non-custodial parent to prevent his or her children from being moved hundreds or thousands of miles away. ACCAMA’s campaign was successful, and SB 730 was withdrawn.

In 2006 ACCAMA opposed SB 1482, a similar bill which would have made it difficult for children of divorce to retain the loving bonds they share with both parents. ACCAMA’s campaign generated over 4,000 opposition calls, letters and faxes to Sacramento, and SB 1482's author pulled the bill.

ACCAMA recognizes that there are some situations where custodial parents should be allowed to move, particularly in cases of dire economic need or domestic violence, or when noncustodial parents show little interest in their children or do not avail themselves of their visitation time. What ACCAMA opposes are frivolous, selfish, vindictive, or bad faith moves which tear children away from loving noncustodial parents.

Endorsements

Our fight to preserve the California Supreme Court’s decision in LaMusga was endorsed by dozens of California family law experts and authorities.

Media Coverage

Our fight to preserve the California Supreme Court’s decision in LaMusga received widespread media attention, including:

  • Clear Channel
  • NPR
  • Fox News
  • Univision
  • KABC TV 7
  • KCET
  • the Los Angeles Times
  • the Sacramento Bee
  • the San Francisco Chronicle
  • the San Jose Mercury News
  • USA Today
  • the Los Angeles Daily News
  • KABC AM 790 in Los Angeles
  • KFBK AM 1530 in Sacramento
  • KOGO AM 600 in San Diego
  • nationally syndicated radio host Dr. Laura Schlessinger
  • nationally syndicated radio host Dennis Prager
Several ACCAMA members made media appearances, including Hollywood producer John Eisendrath, professor Sanford L. Braver, attorneys Garrett C. Dailey and Leslie Ellen Shear, and columnist Glenn Sacks.