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S.B. 223

             1     

REVISIONS TO PARENT TIME

             2     
2003 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Sponsor: Lyle W. Hillyard

             5      This act modifies provisions concerning parent-time. It provides for the award of joint
             6      legal and physical custody according to the best interests of the child and defines joint
             7      physical custody.
             8      This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
             9      AMENDS:
             10          30-3-10, as last amended by Chapter 302, Laws of Utah 2002
             11          30-3-10.1, as enacted by Chapter 106, Laws of Utah 1988
             12          30-3-10.2, as last amended by Chapter 126, Laws of Utah 2001
             13          30-3-32, as last amended by Chapter 255, Laws of Utah 2001
             14          30-3-35, as last amended by Chapters 9 and 255, Laws of Utah 2001
             15          30-3-38, as last amended by Chapter 255, Laws of Utah 2001
             16      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             17          Section 1. Section 30-3-10 is amended to read:
             18           30-3-10. Custody of children in case of separation or divorce -- Custody
             19      consideration.
             20          (1) If a husband and wife having minor children are separated, or their marriage is
             21      declared void or dissolved, the court shall make an order for the future care and custody of the
             22      minor children as it considers appropriate.
             23          (a) In determining any form of custody, the court shall consider the best interests of the
             24      child and, among other factors the court finds relevant, the following:
             25          (i) the past conduct and demonstrated moral standards of each of the parties[.];
             26          (ii) which parent is most likely to act in the best interest of the child, including
             27      allowing the child frequent and continuing contact with the noncustodial parent; and



             28          (iii) those factors outlined in Section 30-3-10.2 .
             29          (b) The court shall, in every case, consider joint custody but may award any form of
             30      custody which is determined to be in the best interest of the child.
             31          [(b)] (c) The children may not be required by either party to testify unless the trier of
             32      fact determines that extenuating circumstances exist that would necessitate the testimony of the
             33      children be heard and there is no other reasonable method to present their testimony.
             34          [(c)] (d) The court may inquire of the children and take into consideration the children's
             35      desires regarding future custody or parent-time schedules, but the expressed desires are not
             36      controlling and the court may determine the children's custody or parent-time otherwise. The
             37      desires of a child 16 years of age or older shall be given added weight, but is not the single
             38      controlling factor.
             39          [(d)] (e) Interviews with the children [may] shall be conducted by the judge in camera
             40      [only with the prior consent of the parties]. The prior consent of the parties may be obtained
             41      but is not necessary if the court finds that an interview with the children is the only method to
             42      ascertain the child's desires regarding custody.
             43          (2) In awarding custody, the court shall consider, among other factors the court finds
             44      relevant, which parent is most likely to act in the best interests of the child, including allowing
             45      the child frequent and continuing contact with the noncustodial parent as the court finds
             46      appropriate.
             47          (3) If the court finds that one parent does not desire custody of the child, or has
             48      attempted to permanently relinquish custody to a third party, it shall take that evidence into
             49      consideration in determining whether to award custody to the other parent.
             50          (4) (a) A court may not discriminate against a parent due to a disability, as defined in
             51      Section 57-21-2 , in awarding custody or determining whether a substantial change has occurred
             52      for the purpose of modifying an award of custody.
             53          (b) If a court takes a parent's disability into account in awarding custody or determining
             54      whether a substantial change has occurred for the purpose of modifying an award of custody,
             55      the parent with a disability may rebut any evidence, presumption, or inference arising
             56      therefrom by showing that:
             57          (i) the disability does not significantly or substantially inhibit the parent's ability to
             58      provide for the physical and emotional needs of the child at issue; or



             59          (ii) the parent with a disability has sufficient human, monetary, or other resources
             60      available to supplement the parent's ability to provide for the physical and emotional needs of
             61      the child at issue.
             62          (c) Nothing in this section may be construed to apply to:
             63          (i) abuse, neglect, or dependency proceedings under Title 62A, Chapter 4a, Child and
             64      Family Services, or Title 78, Chapter 3a, Juvenile Court Act of 1996; or
             65          (ii) adoption proceedings under Title 78, Chapter 30, Adoption.
             66          (5) This section establishes neither a preference nor a presumption for or against joint
             67      legal custody, joint physical custody, or sole custody, but allows the court and the family the
             68      widest discretion to choose a parenting plan that is in the best interest of the child.
             69          Section 2. Section 30-3-10.1 is amended to read:
             70           30-3-10.1. Joint legal custody defined.
             71          [In] As used in this chapter[, "joint]:
             72          (1) "Joint legal custody":
             73          [(1)] (a) means the sharing of the rights, privileges, duties, and powers of a parent by
             74      both parents, where specified;
             75          [(2)] (b) may include an award of exclusive authority by the court to one parent to
             76      make specific decisions;
             77          [(3)] (c) does not affect the physical custody of the child except as specified in the
             78      order of joint legal custody;
             79          [(4)] (d) is not based on awarding equal or nearly equal periods of physical custody of
             80      and access to the child to each of the parents, as the best interest of the child often requires that
             81      a primary physical residence for the child be designated; and
             82          [(5)] (e) does not prohibit the court from specifying one parent as the primary caretaker
             83      and one home as the primary residence of the child.
             84          (2) "Joint physical custody":
             85          (a) means the child stays with each parent overnight for more than 30% of the year, and
             86      both parents contribute to the expenses of the child in addition to paying child support;
             87          (b) can mean equal or nearly equal periods of physical custody of and access to the
             88      child by each of the parents, as required to meet the best interest of the child;
             89          (c) may require that a primary physical residence for the child be designated; and


             90          (d) does not prohibit the court from specifying one parent as the primary caretaker and
             91      one home as the primary residence of the child.
             92          Section 3. Section 30-3-10.2 is amended to read:
             93           30-3-10.2. Joint legal or physical custody order -- Factors for court determination
             94      -- Public assistance.
             95          (1) The court may order joint legal custody or joint physical custody or both if the
             96      parents have filed a parenting plan in accordance with Section 30-3-10.8 and it determines that
             97      joint legal custody or joint physical custody or both is in the best interest of the child.
             98          (2) In determining whether the best interest of a child will be served by ordering joint
             99      legal or physical custody, the court shall consider the following factors:
             100          (a) whether the physical, psychological, and emotional needs and development of the
             101      child will benefit from joint legal or physical custody;
             102          (b) the ability of the parents to give first priority to the welfare of the child and reach
             103      shared decisions in the child's best interest;
             104          (c) whether each parent is capable of encouraging and accepting a positive relationship
             105      between the child and the other parent, including the sharing of love, affection, and contact
             106      between the child and the other parent;
             107          (d) whether both parents participated in raising the child before the divorce;
             108          (e) the geographical proximity of the homes of the parents;
             109          (f) the preference of the child if the child is of sufficient age and capacity to reason so
             110      as to form an intelligent preference as to joint legal or physical custody;
             111          (g) the maturity of the parents and their willingness and ability to protect the child from
             112      conflict that may arise between the parents; [and]
             113          (h) the past and present ability of the parents to cooperate with each other and make
             114      decisions jointly;
             115          (i) any history of, or potential for, child abuse, spouse abuse, or kidnaping; and
             116          [(h)] (j) any other factors the court finds relevant.
             117          (3) The determination of the best interest of the child shall be by a preponderance of
             118      the evidence.
             119          (4) The court shall inform both parties that:
             120          (a) an order for joint legal or physical custody may preclude eligibility for cash


             121      assistance provided under Title 35A, Chapter 3, Employment Support Act; and
             122          (b) if cash assistance is required for the support of children of the parties at any time
             123      subsequent to an order of joint legal or physical custody, the order may be terminated under
             124      Section 30-3-10.4 .
             125          (5) The court may order that where possible the parties attempt to settle future disputes
             126      by a dispute resolution method before seeking enforcement or modification of the terms and
             127      conditions of the order of joint legal custody or joint physical custody through litigation, except
             128      in emergency situations requiring ex parte orders to protect the child.
             129          Section 4. Section 30-3-32 is amended to read:
             130           30-3-32. Parent-time -- Intent -- Policy -- Definitions.
             131          (1) It is the intent of the Legislature to promote parent-time at a level consistent with
             132      all parties' interests.
             133          (2) Absent a showing by a preponderance of evidence of real harm or substantiated
             134      potential harm to the child:
             135          (a) it is in the best interests of the child of divorcing, divorced, or adjudicated parents
             136      to have frequent, meaningful, and continuing access to each parent following separation or
             137      divorce;
             138          (b) each divorcing, separating, or adjudicated parent is entitled to and responsible for
             139      frequent, meaningful, and continuing access with his child consistent with the child's best
             140      interests; and
             141          (c) it is in the best interests of the child to have both parents actively involved in
             142      parenting the child.
             143          (3) For purposes of Sections 30-3-32 through 30-3-37 :
             144          (a) "Child" means the child or children of divorcing, separating, or adjudicated parents.
             145          (b) "Christmas school vacation" means the time period beginning on the evening the
             146      child gets out of school for the Christmas or winter school break until the evening before the
             147      child returns to school, except for Christmas Eve[,] and Christmas Day[, and New Year's Day].
             148          (c) "Extended parent-time" means a period of parent-time other than a weekend,
             149      holiday as provided in Subsections 30-3-35 (2)(f) and (2)(g), religious holidays as provided in
             150      Subsections 30-3-33 [(4)](3) and [(16)] (15), and "Christmas school vacation."
             151          Section 5. Section 30-3-35 is amended to read:


             152           30-3-35. Minimum schedule for parent-time for children 5 to 18 years of age.
             153          (1) The parent-time schedule in this section applies to children 5 to 18 years of age.
             154          (2) If the parties do not agree to a parent-time schedule, the following schedule shall be
             155      considered the minimum parent-time to which the noncustodial parent and the child shall be
             156      entitled:
             157          (a) (i) one weekday evening to be specified by the noncustodial parent or the court
             158      from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.; or
             159          (ii) at the election of the noncustodial parent, one weekday from the time the child's
             160      school is regularly dismissed until 8:30 p.m., unless the court directs the application of
             161      Subsection (2)(a)(i);
             162          (b) (i) alternating weekends beginning on the first weekend after the entry of the decree
             163      from 6 p.m. on Friday until 7 p.m. on Sunday continuing each year; or
             164          (ii) at the election of the noncustodial parent, from the time the child's school is
             165      regularly dismissed on Friday until 7 p.m. on Sunday, unless the court directs the application of
             166      Subsection (2)(b)(i);
             167          (c) holidays take precedence over the weekend parent-time, and changes shall not be
             168      made to the regular rotation of the alternating weekend parent-time schedule;
             169          (d) if a holiday falls on a regularly scheduled school day, the noncustodial parent shall
             170      be responsible for the child's attendance at school for that school day;
             171          (e) (i) if a holiday falls on a weekend or on a Friday or Monday and the total holiday
             172      period extends beyond that time so that the child is free from school and the parent is free from
             173      work, the noncustodial parent shall be entitled to this lengthier holiday period; or
             174          (ii) at the election of the noncustodial parent, parent-time over a scheduled holiday
             175      weekend may begin from the time the child's school is regularly dismissed at the beginning of
             176      the holiday weekend until 7 p.m. on the last day of the holiday weekend;
             177          (f) in years ending in an odd number, the noncustodial parent is entitled to the
             178      following holidays:
             179          (i) child's birthday on the day before or after the actual birthdate beginning at 3 p.m.
             180      until 9 p.m.; at the discretion of the noncustodial parent, he may take other siblings along for
             181      the birthday;
             182          (ii) Martin Luther King, Jr. beginning 6 p.m. on Friday until Monday at 7 p.m. unless


             183      the holiday extends for a lengthier period of time to which the noncustodial parent is
             184      completely entitled;
             185          (iii) spring break or Easter holiday beginning at 6 p.m. on the day school lets out for the
             186      holiday until 7 p.m. on the Sunday before school resumes;
             187          (iv) Memorial Day beginning 6 p.m. on Friday until Monday at 7 p.m., unless the
             188      holiday extends for a lengthier period of time to which the noncustodial parent is completely
             189      entitled;
             190          (v) July 24th beginning 6 p.m. on the day before the holiday until 11 p.m. on the
             191      holiday;
             192          (vi) Veteran's Day holiday beginning 6 p.m. the day before the holiday until 7 p.m. on
             193      the holiday; and
             194          (vii) the first portion of the Christmas school vacation as defined in Subsection
             195      30-3-32 (3)(b) plus Christmas Eve and Christmas Day until 1 p.m., so long as the entire holiday
             196      is equally divided;
             197          (g) in years ending in an even number, the noncustodial parent is entitled to the
             198      following holidays:
             199          (i) child's birthday on actual birthdate beginning at 3 p.m. until 9 p.m.; at the discretion
             200      of the noncustodial parent, he may take other siblings along for the birthday;
             201          (ii) Washington and Lincoln Day beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday until 7 p.m. on Monday
             202      unless the holiday extends for a lengthier period of time to which the noncustodial parent is
             203      completely entitled;
             204          (iii) July 4th beginning at 6 p.m. the day before the holiday until 11 p.m. on the
             205      holiday;
             206          (iv) Labor Day beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday until Monday at 7 p.m. unless the holiday
             207      extends for a lengthier period of time to which the noncustodial parent is completely entitled;
             208          (v) the fall school break, if applicable, commonly known as U.E.A. weekend beginning
             209      at 6 p.m. on Wednesday until Sunday at 7 p.m. unless the holiday extends for a lengthier period
             210      of time to which the noncustodial parent is completely entitled;
             211          (vi) Columbus Day beginning at 6 p.m. the day before the holiday until 7 p.m. on the
             212      holiday;
             213          (vii) Thanksgiving holiday beginning Wednesday at 7 p.m. until Sunday at 7 p.m; and


             214          (viii) the second portion of the Christmas school vacation, including New Year's Day,
             215      as defined in Subsection 30-3-32 (3)(b) plus Christmas day beginning at 1 p.m. until 9 p.m., so
             216      long as the entire Christmas holiday is equally divided;
             217          (h) the custodial parent is entitled to the odd year holidays in even years and the even
             218      year holidays in odd years;
             219          [(h)] (i) Father's Day shall be spent with the natural or adoptive father every year
             220      beginning at 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. on the holiday;
             221          [(i)] (j) Mother's Day shall be spent with the natural or adoptive mother every year
             222      beginning at 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. on the holiday;
             223          [(j)] (k) extended parent-time with the noncustodial parent may be:
             224          (i) up to four weeks consecutive at the option of the noncustodial parent;
             225          (ii) two weeks shall be uninterrupted time for the noncustodial parent; and
             226          (iii) the remaining two weeks shall be subject to parent-time for the custodial parent
             227      consistent with these guidelines;
             228          [(k)] (l) the custodial parent shall have an identical two-week period of uninterrupted
             229      time during the children's summer vacation from school for purposes of vacation;
             230          [(l)] (m) if the child is enrolled in year-round school, the noncustodial parent's
             231      extended parent-time shall be 1/2 of the vacation time for year-round school breaks, provided
             232      the custodial parent has holiday and phone visits;
             233          [(m)] (n) notification of extended parent-time or vacation weeks with the child shall be
             234      provided at least 30 days in advance to the other parent; and
             235          [(n)] (o) telephone contact shall be at reasonable hours and for reasonable duration.
             236          (3) Any elections required to be made in accordance with this section by either parent
             237      concerning parent-time shall be made a part of the decree and made a part of the parent-time
             238      order.
             239          Section 6. Section 30-3-38 is amended to read:
             240           30-3-38. Pilot Program for Expedited Parent-time Enforcement.
             241          (1) There is established an Expedited Parent-time Enforcement Pilot Program in the
             242      third judicial district to be administered by the Administrative Office of the Courts from July 1,
             243      [1996] 2003, to July 1, [2003] 2007.
             244          (2) As used in this section:


             245          (a) "Mediator" means a person who:
             246          (i) is qualified to mediate parent-time disputes under criteria established by the
             247      Administrative Office of the Courts; and
             248          (ii) agrees to follow billing guidelines established by the Administrative Office of the
             249      Courts and this section.
             250          (b) "Services to facilitate parent-time" or "services" means services designed to assist
             251      families in resolving parent-time problems through:
             252          (i) counseling;
             253          (ii) supervised parent-time;
             254          (iii) neutral drop-off and pick-up;
             255          (iv) educational classes; and
             256          (v) other related activities.
             257          (3) (a) Under this pilot program, if a parent files a motion in the third district court
             258      alleging that court-ordered parent-time rights are being violated, the clerk of the court, after
             259      assigning the case to a judge, shall refer the case to the administrator of this pilot program for
             260      assignment to a mediator.
             261          (b) Upon receipt of a case, the mediator shall:
             262          (i) meet with the parents to address parent-time issues within 15 days of the motion
             263      being filed;
             264          (ii) assess the situation;
             265          (iii) facilitate an agreement on parent-time between the parents; and
             266          (iv) determine whether a referral to a service provider under Subsection (3)(c) is
             267      warranted.
             268          (c) While a case is in mediation, a mediator may refer the parents to a service provider
             269      designated by the Department of Human Services for services to facilitate parent-time if:
             270          (i) the services may be of significant benefit to the parents; or
             271          (ii) (A) a mediated agreement between the parents is unlikely; and
             272          (B) the services may facilitate an agreement.
             273          (d) At any time during mediation, a mediator shall terminate mediation and transfer the
             274      case to the administrator of the pilot program for referral to the judge or court commissioner to
             275      whom the case was assigned under Subsection (3)(a) if:


             276          (i) a written agreement between the parents is reached; or
             277          (ii) the parents are unable to reach an agreement through mediation and:
             278          (A) the parents have received services to facilitate parent-time;
             279          (B) both parents object to receiving services to facilitate parent-time; or
             280          (C) the parents are unlikely to benefit from receiving services to facilitate parent-time.
             281          (e) Upon receiving a case from the administrator of the pilot program, a judge or court
             282      commissioner may:
             283          (i) review the agreement of the parents and, if acceptable, sign it as an order;
             284          (ii) order the parents to receive services to facilitate parent-time;
             285          (iii) proceed with the case; or
             286          (iv) take other appropriate action.
             287          (4) (a) If a parent makes a particularized allegation of physical or sexual abuse of a
             288      child who is the subject of a parent-time order against the other parent or a member of the other
             289      parent's household to a mediator or service provider, the mediator or service provider shall
             290      immediately report that information to:
             291          (i) the judge assigned to the case who may immediately issue orders and take other
             292      appropriate action to resolve the allegation and protect the child; and
             293          (ii) the Division of Child and Family Services within the Department of Human
             294      Services in the manner required by Title 62A, Chapter 4a, Part 4, Child Abuse or Neglect
             295      Reporting Requirements.
             296          (b) If an allegation under Subsection (4)(a) is made against a parent with parent-time
             297      rights or a member of that parent's household, parent-time by that parent shall, pursuant to an
             298      order of the court, be supervised until:
             299          (i) the allegation has been resolved; or
             300          (ii) a court orders otherwise.
             301          (c) Notwithstanding an allegation under Subsection (4)(a), a mediator may continue to
             302      mediate parent-time problems and a service provider may continue to provide services to
             303      facilitate parent-time unless otherwise ordered by a court.
             304          (5) (a) The Department of Human Services may contract with one or more entities in
             305      accordance with Title 63, Chapter 56, Utah Procurement Code, to provide:
             306          (i) services to facilitate parent-time;


             307          (ii) case management services; and
             308          (iii) administrative services.
             309          (b) An entity who contracts with the Department of Human Services under Subsection
             310      (5)(a) shall:
             311          (i) be qualified to provide one or more of the services listed in Subsection (5)(a); and
             312          (ii) agree to follow billing guidelines established by the Department of Human Services
             313      and this section.
             314          (6) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (6)(b), the cost of mediation shall be:
             315          (i) reduced to a sum certain;
             316          (ii) divided equally between the parents; and
             317          (iii) charged against each parent taking into account the ability of that parent to pay
             318      under billing guidelines adopted in accordance with this section.
             319          (b) A judge may order a parent to pay an amount in excess of that provided for in
             320      Subsection (6)(a) if the parent:
             321          (i) failed to participate in good faith in mediation or services to facilitate parent-time;
             322      or
             323          (ii) made an unfounded assertion or claim of physical or sexual abuse of a child.
             324          (c) (i) The cost of mediation and services to facilitate parent-time may be charged to
             325      parents at periodic intervals.
             326          (ii) Mediation and services to facilitate parent-time may only be terminated on the
             327      ground of nonpayment if both parents are delinquent.
             328          (7) If a parent fails to cooperate in good faith in mediation or services to facilitate
             329      parent-time, a court may order, in subsequent proceedings, a temporary change in custody or
             330      parent-time.
             331          (8) (a) The Judicial Council may make rules to implement and administer the
             332      provisions of this pilot program related to mediation.
             333          (b) The Department of Human Services may make rules to implement and administer
             334      the provisions of this pilot program related to services to facilitate parent-time.
             335          (9) (a) The Administrative Office of the Courts shall adopt outcome measures to
             336      evaluate the effectiveness of the mediation component of this pilot program. Progress reports
             337      shall be provided to the Judiciary Interim Committee as requested by the committee. At least


             338      once during this pilot program, the Administrative Office of the Courts shall present to the
             339      committee the results of a survey that measures the effectiveness of the program in terms of
             340      increased compliance with parent-time orders and the responses of interested persons.
             341          (b) The Department of Human Services shall adopt outcome measures to evaluate the
             342      effectiveness of the services component of this pilot program. Progress reports shall be
             343      provided to the Judiciary Interim Committee as requested by the committee.
             344          (c) The Administrative Office of the Courts and the Department of Human Services
             345      may adopt joint outcome measures and file joint reports to satisfy the requirements of
             346      Subsections (8)(a) and (b).
             347          (10) (a) The Department of Human Services shall apply for federal funds as available.
             348          (b) This pilot program shall be funded through funds received under Subsection
             349      (10)(a).




Legislative Review Note
    as of 2-13-03 5:35 PM


A limited legal review of this legislation raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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