A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning family law and juvenile law.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide specific details on how much more time children will spend with each parent.

Law for More Time with Both Parents

This bill changes Indiana's family laws to encourage courts to give children as much time as possible with both parents when their parents are separated or divorced.

What This Bill Does

• Requires courts to decide on parenting plans that promote continuity of relationship between the child and each parent through maximum practical parenting time.
• Encourages parents to make their own parenting plans, but if they cannot agree, the court will provide a plan according to what is best for the child.
• If parents totally disagree, a set of guidelines for how much time children should spend with each parent is used.
• The court must explain why it makes any changes that don't follow these guidelines.

Who It Names or Affects

• Children whose parents are separated or divorced
• Parents who are going through separation or divorce

Terms To Know

Parenting time

The schedule that says when a child spends time with each parent.

Best interests of the child

What is most beneficial for the child's health, safety, and happiness.

Limits and Unknowns

• It does not specify how much more time children will spend with each parent.
• The bill has passed both chambers but needs further action before becoming law.

Official Summary Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning family law and juvenile law.
Maximum practical parenting time.

Current Bill Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning family law and juvenile law.

Maximum practical parenting time.

Requires a court in certain circumstances to make decisions to promote continuity of relationship by both parents with the child through maximum practical parenting time with each parent. Provides that the ability of the parties to encourage the sharing of love, affection, and contact between the child and the other party is a permissible factor to consider in weighing the best interests of a child. Provides that: (1) parents must be encouraged to develop the parents' own parenting plans and parenting time calendars, but if the parents cannot agree to a part of the plan, the court shall provide the required components according to the best interests of the child; (2) if the parents are in total disagreement, the parenting time guidelines apply; and (3) the court must make specific findings of fact and conclusions of law on the record to support any deviation of parenting time that falls below the minimum standards in the parenting time guidelines.