House Bill 369

Chair's Name: Wendell Willard

Committee: Judiciary

House Sponsor: Tom Rice

HB 369 makes changes to child custody laws to encourage shared parenting. By requiring the parties to submit a parenting plan, parents can make joint decisions relating to the child's education, health, extracurricular activities, and religious upbringing. This bill also provides for a direct appeal for child custody issues in order to have more clarity in the law regarding child custody issues.

The committee substitute received a Do Pass recommendation from the Judiciary Committee and comes to the House Floor under the Modified Structured Rule. 

Chairman Willard's opinion of this legislation:

WHAT PROBLEM/OPPORTUNITY DOES THIS LEGISLATION ADDRESS?

HB369 addresses problems with child custody proceedings.  The bill attempts to have both parents involved in the upbringing of the minor child.

WHAT IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THIS LEGISLATION?

The House Study Committee on Shared Parenting presented a report recommending the changes in this bill.

THIS LEGISLATION:

• Strengthens the Traditional Family Structure

Will help minor children in divorces have both parents involved in their upbringing.