S.B. 18 Enrolled

1

CHILD CUSTODY PROCEEDINGS AMENDMENTS
2 2013 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Luz Robles
5 House Sponsor: LaVar Christensen
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill reduces the age from 16 to 14 for children to express their opinion in custody
10 cases.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 . reduces the age from 16 to 14 for children who wish to express their opinion during
14 child custody proceedings which parent they would prefer to reside with.
15 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
16 None
17 Other Special Clauses:
18 None
19 Utah Code Sections Affected:
20 AMENDS:
21 30-3-10, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapters 269 and 271
22
23 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
24 Section 1. Section 30-3-10 is amended to read:
25 30-3-10. Custody of children in case of separation or divorce -- Custody
26 consideration.
27 (1) If a husband and wife having minor children are separated, or their marriage is
28 declared void or dissolved, the court shall make an order for the future care and custody of the
29 minor children as it considers appropriate.

30 (a) In determining any form of custody, including a change in custody, the court shall
31 consider the best interests of the child without preference for either the mother or father solely
32 because of the biological sex of the parent and, among other factors the court finds relevant, the
33 following:
34 (i) the past conduct and demonstrated moral standards of each of the parties;
35 (ii) which parent is most likely to act in the best interest of the child, including
36 allowing the child frequent and continuing contact with the noncustodial parent;
37 (iii) the extent of bonding between the parent and child, meaning the depth, quality,
38 and nature of the relationship between a parent and child; and
39 (iv) those factors outlined in Section 30-3-10.2 .
40 (b) There shall be a rebuttable presumption that joint legal custody, as defined in
41 Section 30-3-10.1 , is in the best interest of the child, except in cases where there is:
42 (i) domestic violence in the home or in the presence of the child;
43 (ii) special physical or mental needs of a parent or child, making joint legal custody
44 unreasonable;
45 (iii) physical distance between the residences of the parents, making joint decision
46 making impractical in certain circumstances; or
47 (iv) any other factor the court considers relevant including those listed in this section
48 and Section 30-3-10.2 .
49 (c) The person who desires joint legal custody shall file a proposed parenting plan in
50 accordance with Sections 30-3-10.8 and 30-3-10.9 . A presumption for joint legal custody may
51 be rebutted by a showing by a preponderance of the evidence that it is not in the best interest of
52 the child.
53 (d) The children may not be required by either party to testify unless the trier of fact
54 determines that extenuating circumstances exist that would necessitate the testimony of the
55 children be heard and there is no other reasonable method to present their testimony.
56 (e) The court may inquire of the children and take into consideration the children's
57 desires regarding future custody or parent-time schedules, but the expressed desires are not

58 controlling and the court may determine the children's custody or parent-time otherwise. The
59 desires of a child [16] 14 years of age or older shall be given added weight, but is not the single
60 controlling factor.
61 (f) If interviews with the children are conducted by the court pursuant to Subsection
62 (1)(e), they shall be conducted by the judge in camera. The prior consent of the parties may be
63 obtained but is not necessary if the court finds that an interview with the children is the only
64 method to ascertain the child's desires regarding custody.
65 (2) In awarding custody, the court shall consider, among other factors the court finds
66 relevant, which parent is most likely to act in the best interests of the child, including allowing
67 the child frequent and continuing contact with the noncustodial parent as the court finds
68 appropriate.
69 (3) If the court finds that one parent does not desire custody of the child, the court shall
70 take that evidence into consideration in determining whether to award custody to the other
71 parent.
72 (4) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (4)(b), a court may not discriminate against a
73 parent due to a disability, as defined in Section 57-21-2 , in awarding custody or determining
74 whether a substantial change has occurred for the purpose of modifying an award of custody.
75 (b) If a court takes a parent's disability into account in awarding custody or determining
76 whether a substantial change has occurred for the purpose of modifying an award of custody,
77 the parent with a disability may rebut any evidence, presumption, or inference arising from the
78 disability by showing that:
79 (i) the disability does not significantly or substantially inhibit the parent's ability to
80 provide for the physical and emotional needs of the child at issue; or
81 (ii) the parent with a disability has sufficient human, monetary, or other resources
82 available to supplement the parent's ability to provide for the physical and emotional needs of
83 the child at issue.
84 (c) Nothing in this section may be construed to apply to adoption proceedings under
85 Title 78B, Chapter 6, Part 1, Utah Adoption Act.

86 (5) This section establishes neither a preference nor a presumption for or against joint
87 physical custody or sole physical custody, but allows the court and the family the widest
88 discretion to choose a parenting plan that is in the best interest of the child.

[Bill Documents]