Campaign to Educate Public about Act 21 Custody Expansion

Act 21 Expands Custody Rights for Caregivers

Washington, PA. October 3, 2018. As a result of the opioid epidemic sweeping the state, more and more grandparents, other family members, and neighbors are becoming primary caregivers of minor children when parents are absent and cannot be located. Recent statistics from Grandfamilies.org show that 103,000 children in Pennsylvania live with a relative with no parent present and more than 88,000 grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren who live with them. As a response to this crisis, the Washington County Bar Association, in cooperation with 28 additional bar associations and additional partners, have launched a campaign to educate the public about a new law that expands custody rights for caregivers.

Act 21 of 2018, which went into effect in Pennsylvania on July 3, 2018, expands who can request custody of a minor child when the parents cannot be located, especially in regard to grandparents, great-grandparents and other parties. A free brochure, “Understanding When Grandparents and Others Can Seek Custody,” provides information about this change in Pennsylvania’s law and how it impacts caregivers seeking custody of children whose parents are unable or unwilling to raise them.

The brochure can be downloaded at www.washcobar.org/public-education. To request to receive a copy of the brochure by email or by mail, contact the Washington County Bar Association at wcba@washcobar.org or 724-225-6710. In addition, the Washington County Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service is a resource to help caregivers find a family law attorney familiar with these and other custody issues and legal rights.

Founded in 1892, the Washington County Bar Association strives to promote justice, professional excellence and respect for the law; improve public understanding of the legal system; facilitate access to legal services; and serve the 480 lawyers and judges who are members of the association.

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