S.23-1.32: F.E.R.G.I.E. Act (Debating)

[Mr. Reactionary]

F.E.R.G.I.E. ACT

1. This law shall be referred to as the Filial Emancipation Requires Great Ignominious Evil Act or the F.E.R.G.I.E. Act.

2. It shall be the joint and several duty of all persons in the South nineteen (19) years of age or over, of sufficient earning capacity or income, after reasonably providing for his or her own immediate family, to assist in providing for the support and maintenance of his or her mother or father, he or she being then and there in necessitous circumstances.

3. If there be more than one (1) person bound to support the same parent or parents, the persons so bound to support shall jointly and severally share equitably in the discharge of such duty. Taking into consideration the needs of the parent or parents and the circumstances affecting the ability of each person to discharge the duty of support, the court having jurisdiction shall have the power to determine and order the payment, by such person so bound to support, of that amount for support and maintenance which to the court may seem just. Where the court ascertains that any person has failed to render his or her proper share in such support and maintenance it may, upon the complaint of any party or on its own motion, compel contribution by that person to any person or authority which has theretofore contributed to the support or maintenance of the parent or parents. The court may from time to time revise the orders entered by it or by any other court having jurisdiction under the provisions of this section, in such manner as to it may seem just.

4. Prosecutions under this section shall be in the jurisdiction where the parent or parents reside.

5. This act shall not apply if there is substantial evidence of desertion, neglect, abuse, or willful failure to support any such child by the father or mother, as the case may be, prior to the child's emancipation or, except as provided hereafter, if a parent is otherwise eligible for and is receiving public assistance or services under a government program.

6. Any person violating the provisions of an order entered pursuant to this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $500 or imprisonment in jail for a period not exceeding twelve (12) months or both.

7. This act shall take effect thirty (30) days from the date of enactment.

[reagente]

Motion for a final vote. 24 hours for objections.

[reagente]

Aye

[UlmerFudd]

aye

[RFayette]

Aye

[fhtagn]

Aye