May 10, 2004 – This week, a Florida judge ruled that "Terri’s Law," which granted Florida Governor Jeb Bush authority to intervene in the death by starvation of severely mentally disabled Terri Schindler-Schiavo, is unconstitutional. Meanwhile, Schindler-Schiavo’s parents asked the courts to intervene on their behalf against Michael Schiavo, Terri’s husband, who has denied the Schindlers visitation access to their daughter. In their lawsuit, the Schindlers are seeking to remove Michael Schiavo as Terri’s legal guardian, alleging he has neglected her care and therefore has no legal authority over her.
The controversy surrounding Terri Schindler-Schiavo’s health care rights has pitted her parents, disability advocates and "right-to-life" organizations against her husband, civil libertarians, and "right-to-die" organizations.
On Thursday, Circuit Court Judge W. Douglas Baird ruled to strike, on grounds of unconstitutionality, an October 2003 state law allowing Governor Jeb Bush to intervene in Schindler-Schiavo’s case. The bill was signed into law seven days after Terri Schiavo’s feeding tube had been removed.
‘Terri's Law’ Struck Down; Rights Groups Side With Parents
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