[Joie Chen, Cnn Anchor:] It is called the Candace Law, and it is now in effect in Colorado. This afternoon, Governor Bill Owens signed the measure to ban so-called rebirthing therapy in that state. The new law stems from the death last year of 10-year-old Candace Newmaker. A therapist says that Candace was making little progress in a behavioral treatment program, so the therapist decided to use the unconventional rebirth technique. Now, in our morning, online editorial meeting, you asked: "What is rebirthing?" Here's what we know about this case. The girl was wrapped in a flannel sheet to simulate a womb as adults pushed against her, with pillows, for more than an hour. Now, these adults urged Candace to emerge re-born and bond with her adoptive mother. Doctors say, though, that the child died of asphyxiation. The Candace Newmaker case is now being heard by a jury in Colorado. Two therapists, Connell Watkins and Julie Ponder, are charged with reckless child abuse. Defense lawyers argue that Candace's death was an accident. Joining us now from Denver to talk about the Candace Newmaker, the case and Colorado's new Candace Law, is Republican Representative Debbie Stafford who is in the Colorado State Assembly. We appreciate your being with us. I understand that you were really a key to getting Candace's Law in place and geting it signed today. Can you talk to us a little bit about the law?
[Debbie Stafford , Colorado State Representative:] Yes, Joie. I really began to watch this case early on, and people that were concerned in the community came to me and really began to understand that we didn't have any laws to protect children or to protect the innocent victims who don't have a voice until it came to the point of injury or death. Candace's Law is designed to prohibit the type of rebirthing therapy that would involve restraint, that could have the potential also for physical injury, ultimately resulting in injury or death.
[Chen:] But I mean, is there something specific in this law that makes it different from, say, something against child abuse or physical assault. Does it specifically say, "rebirthing technique," or specify the particular methods that were involved in Candace's death?
[Stafford:] Yes, it actually says that you cannot use any rebirthing technique in therapy that involves restraint or anything that provides a potential risk for physical injury. And so it makes the type of therapy against the law. In other words, therapists who practice this will no longer be able to practice in the state of colorado. If they do and we find out about it, they will in fact have legal consequences.
[Chen:] All right, we do have a live chat under way where there are many questions about Candace's case. "Is the mother of Candace," and I guess that would be the adoptive mother of Candace who brought her out to Colorado for the treatment, "being held responsible in any way?" This is from Candace Gleason.
[Stafford:] Well, I'm not an expert as far as all of the legal ins and outs that are happening, but, yes, the adoptive mother does in fact have charges being brought against her. I probably will direct you to somebody within the court system to give you more direct answers as far as the charges and all of that is working for her, but yes, she does have charges being brought against her as well.
[Chen:] OK, we have another question from our live chat from Michelle Michelson: "Has rebirthing been proven effective for anyone?" There are other rebirthing techniques as well, as I understand it?
[Stafford:] Yes, there are rebirthing techniques that are not invasive in the way that the case was for Candace. In particular, I know I have been told of some therapists who use techniques where maybe somebody has gone through a rebirthing process in water. More likely, the cases that I have heard that are successful are with consenting adults. Apparently, there have been some successful testimonies in court. I am not an expert on rebirthing therapy. The folks that I have spoken to have not had positive experiences, but I have been told there are some who have had the good experience. But their limit of time was only a few minutes and in Candace's case, it was 70 minutes and so, I can't, myself, speak to you so far as the successful cases.
[Chen:] Representative Debbie Stafford in the Colorado State Assembly, Candace's Law signed today. Thanks very much for being with us.
[Stafford:] Thanks.