What is Hope's Law? Discuss the history of Hope's Law. Do you think that Hope's Law should be in effect in all states? Why or why not?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

• Hope's Law was signed into law by Missouri Governor Jay Nixon on July 9, 2009 . The law states, in part, "that anyone who possesses methamphetamine in the presence, or the home of, a person younger than 17, will be guilty of endangering the welfare of a child, in the first degree.".
• Hope Turner was five-years-old when she was first exposed to methamphetamine. She didn't ingest it, but she just as easily could have. Her dad used methamphetamine on a regular basis, and would leave the drug laying about the house.
• Called to the house on another matter one night in December 2005, Kansas City, Missouri, police discovered a gram of the drug and the implements used to smoke it. Hope was being watched by her dad that night, as was sometimes the case ever since her mom and dad had divorced.
• The police charged Hope's dad with possession of an uncontrolled substance. But that was the extent of the case. Unlike some states, Missouri did not consider the use or possession of illicit drugs in the presence of a minor a form of child endangerment, a criminal offense punishable with a prison sentence.
• The case made front page headlines and outraged the community and Dennine Turner, Hope's mom. Concerned for the safety of her own daughter and other children throughout the state, Dennine Turner lobbied the state legislature and the governor to take action.
• Methamphetamine use was especially problematic in the state. Its use by teenagers and adults was on the rise, and home "meth labs" were being uncovered by law enforcement at a rate of more than one a day, putting children at serious risk of exposure to the drug and injury from the toxic chemicals used in its manufacture.
• Student view will vary.