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First Substitute S.B. 106


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Senate Committee Amendments 1-31-2002 sm/ecm
Senator Terry R. Spencer proposes the following substitute bill:


             1     
DIVORCE - CHILDREN'S TESTIMONY

             2     
LIMITED

             3     
2002 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Sponsor: Terry R. Spencer

             6      This act modifies the circumstances under which children may testify in a divorce.
             7      This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
             8      AMENDS:
             9          30-3-10, as last amended by Chapter 255, Laws of Utah 2001
             10      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             11          Section 1. Section 30-3-10 is amended to read:
             12           30-3-10. Custody of children in case of separation or divorce -- Custody
             13      consideration.
             14          (1) If a husband and wife having minor children are separated, or their marriage is declared
             15      void or dissolved, the court shall make an order for the future care and custody of the minor
             16      children as it considers appropriate.
             17          (a) In determining custody, the court shall consider the best interests of the child and the
             18      past conduct and demonstrated moral standards of each of the parties. [The]
             19          (b) The children may not be required by either party to testify unless the trier of fact
             20      determines that extenuating circumstances exist that would necessitate the testimony of the
             21      children be heard and there is no other reasonable method to present their testimony.
             22          (c) The court may inquire of the children and take into consideration the children's desires
             23      regarding future custody or parent-time schedules, but the expressed desires are not controlling and
             24      the court may determine the children's custody or parent-time otherwise. The desires of a child
             25      16 years of age or older shall be given S [ substantial ] ADDED s weight, but is not the single
             25a      controlling factor.



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             26
         (d) Interviews with the children may be conducted by the judge in camera only with the
             27      prior consent of the parties.
             28          (2) In awarding custody, the court shall consider, among other factors the court finds
             29      relevant, which parent is most likely to act in the best interests of the child, including allowing the
             30      child frequent and continuing contact with the noncustodial parent as the court finds appropriate.
             31          (3) If the court finds that one parent does not desire custody of the child, or has attempted
             32      to permanently relinquish custody to a third party, it shall take that evidence into consideration in
             33      determining whether to award custody to the other parent.
             34          (4) (a) A court may not discriminate against a parent due to a disability, as defined in
             35      Section 57-21-2 , in awarding custody or determining whether a substantial change has occurred
             36      for the purpose of modifying an award of custody.
             37          (b) If a court takes a parent's disability into account in awarding custody or determining
             38      whether a substantial change has occurred for the purpose of modifying an award of custody, the
             39      parent with a disability may rebut any evidence, presumption, or inference arising therefrom by
             40      showing that:
             41          (i) the disability does not significantly or substantially inhibit the parent's ability to provide
             42      for the physical and emotional needs of the child at issue; or
             43          (ii) the parent with a disability has sufficient human, monetary, or other resources available
             44      to supplement the parent's ability to provide for the physical and emotional needs of the child at
             45      issue.
             46          (c) Nothing in this section may be construed to apply to:
             47          (i) abuse, neglect, or dependency proceedings under Title 62A, Chapter 4a, Child and
             48      Family Services, or Title 78, Chapter 3a, Juvenile [Courts] Court Act of 1996; or
             49          (ii) adoption proceedings under Title 78, Chapter 30, Adoption.


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