Letter to the editor: Governor addresses grandparents’ rights

Editor’s note: Martha Leonard, whose son, Kelly Leonard is incarcerated in Elmore County, has been in an ongoing discussion with legislators about Alabama’s laws on grandparents’ rights.
Dear Editor,
Enclosed is a letter I received from Gov. Robert Bentley in regards to my quest to change the laws in our state surrounding the rights of grandparents to visit their grandchildren.
Dear Ms. Leonard:
I am deeply sorry to hear your story. On June 9, 2011, I signed a bill that provided visitation rights to grandparents. However, this law was struck down by the Alabama Supreme Court. In order for this issue to be addressed again, it will have to be brought up in the next legislative session. Therefore, I encourage you to contact your State Senator and/or State Representative to express your views on this important issue.
To contact your Senator, please call the Alabama Senate at (334)242-7800. To  contact your Representative, please call the Alabama House of Representatives at (334)242-7600. Hearing from the people of Alabama is the best way for me to know which issues are affecting the daily lives of the citizens of this great state.
Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns with me.
Sincerely,
Robert Bentley
Governor