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H.B. 124 Enrolled

             1     

PARENT-TIME AMENDMENTS

             2     
2006 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Brad L. Dee

             5     
Senate Sponsor: Michael G. Waddoups

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill provides requirements for parent-time when domestic violence is involved.
             10      Highlighted Provisions:
             11          This bill:
             12          .    allows a third party to be utilized to conduct parent-time if a protective order or civil
             13      stalking injunction is in place;
             14          .    allows for changes to a parenting plan as needed; and
             15          .    makes technical corrections.
             16      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             17          None
             18      Other Special Clauses:
             19          None
             20      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             21      AMENDS:
             22          30-3-10.7, as last amended by Chapter 142, Laws of Utah 2005
             23          30-3-32, as last amended by Chapter 321, Laws of Utah 2004
             24      ENACTS:
             25          30-3-10.10, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             26     
             27      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             28          Section 1. Section 30-3-10.7 is amended to read:
             29           30-3-10.7. Parenting plan -- Definitions.


             30          (1) "Domestic violence" means the same as in Section 77-36-1 .
             31          [(1)] (2) "Parenting plan" means a plan for parenting a child, including allocation of
             32      parenting functions, which is incorporated in any final decree or decree of modification
             33      including an action for dissolution of marriage, annulment, legal separation, or paternity.
             34          [(2)] (3) "Parenting functions" means those aspects of the parent-child relationship in
             35      which the parent makes decisions and performs functions necessary for the care and growth of
             36      the child. Parenting functions include:
             37          (a) maintaining a loving, stable, consistent, and nurturing relationship with the child;
             38          (b) attending to the daily needs of the child, such as feeding, clothing, physical care,
             39      grooming, supervision, health care, day care, and engaging in other activities which are
             40      appropriate to the developmental level of the child and that are within the social and economic
             41      circumstances of the particular family;
             42          (c) attending to adequate education for the child, including remedial or other education
             43      essential to the best interest of the child;
             44          (d) assisting the child in developing and maintaining appropriate interpersonal
             45      relationships;
             46          (e) exercising appropriate judgment regarding the child's welfare, consistent with the
             47      child's developmental level and family social and economic circumstances; and
             48          (f) providing for the financial support of the child.
             49          Section 2. Section 30-3-10.10 is enacted to read:
             50          30-3-10.10. Parenting plan -- Domestic violence.
             51          (1) In any proceeding regarding a parenting plan, the court shall consider evidence of
             52      domestic violence, if presented.
             53          (2) If there is a protective order, civil stalking injunction, or the court finds that a
             54      parent has committed domestic violence, the court shall consider the impact of domestic
             55      violence in awarding parent-time, and make specific findings regarding the award of
             56      parent-time.
             57          (3) If the court orders parent-time and a protective order or civil stalking injunction is


             58      still in place, it shall consider whether to order the parents to conduct parent-time pick-up and
             59      transfer through a third party. The parent who is the stated victim in the order or injunction
             60      may submit to the court, and the court shall consider, the name of a person considered suitable
             61      to act as the third party.
             62          (4) If the court orders the parents to conduct parent-time through a third party, the
             63      parenting plan shall specify the time, day, place, manner, and the third party to be used to
             64      implement the exchange.
             65          Section 3. Section 30-3-32 is amended to read:
             66           30-3-32. Parent-time -- Intent -- Policy -- Definitions.
             67          (1) It is the intent of the Legislature to promote parent-time at a level consistent with
             68      all parties' interests.
             69          (2) (a) A court shall consider as primary the safety and well-being of the child and the
             70      parent who is the victim of domestic or family violence.
             71          [(2)] (b) Absent a showing by a preponderance of evidence of real harm or
             72      substantiated potential harm to the child:
             73          [(a)] (i) it is in the best interests of the child of divorcing, divorced, or adjudicated
             74      parents to have frequent, meaningful, and continuing access to each parent following separation
             75      or divorce;
             76          [(b)] (ii) each divorcing, separating, or adjudicated parent is entitled to and responsible
             77      for frequent, meaningful, and continuing access with his child consistent with the child's best
             78      interests; and
             79          [(c)] (iii) it is in the best interests of the child to have both parents actively involved in
             80      parenting the child.
             81          (c) An order issued by a court pursuant to Title 30, Chapter 6, Cohabitant Abuse Act
             82      shall be considered evidence of real harm or substantiated potential harm to the child.
             83          (3) For purposes of Sections 30-3-32 through 30-3-37 :
             84          (a) "Child" means the child or children of divorcing, separating, or adjudicated parents.
             85          (b) "Christmas school vacation" means the time period beginning on the evening the


             86      child gets out of school for the Christmas or winter school break until the evening before the
             87      child returns to school, except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
             88          (c) "Extended parent-time" means a period of parent-time other than a weekend,
             89      holiday as provided in Subsections 30-3-35 (2)(f) and (2)(g), religious holidays as provided in
             90      Subsections 30-3-33 (3) and (15), and "Christmas school vacation."
             91          (d) "Virtual parent-time" means parent-time facilitated by tools such as telephone,
             92      email, instant messaging, video conferencing, and other wired or wireless technologies over the
             93      Internet or other communication media to supplement in-person visits between a noncustodial
             94      parent and a child or between a child and the custodial parent when the child is staying with the
             95      noncustodial parent. Virtual parent-time is designed to supplement, not replace, in-person
             96      parent-time.
             97          (4) If a parent relocates because of an act of domestic violence or family violence by
             98      the other parent, the court shall make specific findings and orders with regards to the
             99      application of Section 30-3-37 .


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