CONTACT: Rep. Patrick Snyder (608) 266-0654
Speaker Vos announced Rep. Snyder will be one of 16 bipartisan members of Adoption Task Force
Madison… Assembly Speaker Robin Vos announced the 16 bipartisan members of the Speaker’s Task Force on Adoption, including Representative Pat Snyder (Schofield) on Wednesday. The Task Force was initially announced by Speaker Vos two weeks ago, and Rep. Barb Dittrich (Oconomowoc) was named Chairperson. Following his assignment to the committee, Rep. Snyder made the following statement:
“I am thrilled to have been selected to serve on the Speaker’s Task Force on Adoption this session; this is a critical issue impacting children and families across our entire state. The prosperity of children in our state is an integral part of our current and future success. We must act to ensure all children are in a safe, stable and loving environment.”
During the 2017-2018 legislative session, Rep. Snyder served as Co-Chairperson of the Speaker’s Task Force on Foster Care. Since his work on the task force, he has continued advocating for children and families, especially those that are entangled in the foster care system. He also serves as Chairperson of the Committee on Children and Families in the Assembly.
“Last session, during the Speaker’s Task Force on Foster Care, we heard from advocates, foster and adoptive families; foster children; and many others about the numerous challenges that exist within our foster care system. We also learned that many of these challenges extend past the foster care system and into our adoption program,” Rep. Snyder added. “While we made great improvements last session, I know there is more to be done. I am looking forward to building on my knowledge from last session, and working with my colleagues to further improve our child welfare systems in Wisconsin.”
Legislators on the task force will examine the termination of parental rights; identify ways to shorten the timeline for adoptions; evaluate the costs of adoption and ways to reduce the amount; and increase awareness and resources pertaining to adoption. The first meeting of the task force is anticipated in June.
