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Key: (1) language to be deleted (2) new language

CHAPTER 197--H.F.No. 2722

An act

relating to family law; making changes to custody and parenting time provisions;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 518.17, subdivision 2; 518.175, subdivisions 1, 5.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 518.17, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Factors when joint custody is sought.

new text begin (a) There is no presumption for or against joint physical custody, except when domestic abuse, as defined in section 518B.01, has occurred between the parents. new text end

new text begin (b) new text end In addition to the factors listed in subdivision 1, where either joint legal or joint physical custody is contemplated or sought, the court shall consider the following relevant factors:

deleted text begin (a)deleted text end new text begin (1)new text end the ability of parents to cooperate in the rearing of their children;

deleted text begin (b)deleted text end new text begin (2)new text end methods for resolving disputes regarding any major decision concerning the life of the child, and the parents' willingness to use those methods;

deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (3)new text end whether it would be detrimental to the child if one parent were to have sole authority over the child's upbringing; and

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (4)new text end whether domestic abuse, as defined in section 518B.01, has occurred between the parents.

new text begin The court shall not use one of the factors to be considered to the exclusion of all of the other factors. new text end The court shall use a rebuttable presumption that upon request of either or both parties, joint legal custody is in the best interests of the child. However, the court shall use a rebuttable presumption that joint legal or physical custody is not in the best interests of the child if domestic abuse, as defined in section 518B.01, has occurred between the parents.new text begin Disagreement alone over whether to grant sole or joint custody does not constitute an inability of parents to cooperate in the rearing of their children as referenced in paragraph (b), clause (1).new text end

deleted text begin If the court awardsdeleted text end new text begin (c) If the parties disagree as to whether the court should awardnew text end jointnew text begin or solenew text end legal or physical custody deleted text begin over the objection of a partydeleted text end , the court shall make detailed new text begin factual new text end findings on each of the factors in this subdivision and explain how new text begin its findings on new text end the factors led to its determination deleted text begin thatdeleted text end new text begin as to whether new text end joint custody new text begin or sole custody new text end would be in the best interests of the child.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 518.175, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

General.

(a) In all proceedings for dissolution or legal separation, subsequent to the commencement of the proceeding and continuing thereafter during the minority of the child, the court shall, upon the request of either parent, grant such parenting time on behalf of the child and a parent as will enable the child and the parent to maintain a child to parent relationship that will be in the best interests of the child.new text begin The court, when issuing a parenting time order, may reserve a determination as to the future establishment or expansion of a parent's parenting time. In that event, the best interest standard set forth in subdivision 5, paragraph (a), shall be applied to a subsequent motion to establish or expand parenting time.new text end

new text begin (b) new text end If the court finds, after a hearing, that parenting time with a parent is likely to endanger the child's physical or emotional health or impair the child's emotional development, the court shall restrict parenting time with that parent as to time, place, duration, or supervision and may deny parenting time entirely, as the circumstances warrant. The court shall consider the age of the child and the child's relationship with the parent prior to the commencement of the proceeding.

new text begin (c) new text end A parent's failure to pay support because of the parent's inability to do so shall not be sufficient cause for denial of parenting time.

deleted text begin (b)deleted text end new text begin (d)new text end The court may provide that a law enforcement officer or other appropriate person will accompany a party seeking to enforce or comply with parenting time.

deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (e)new text end Upon request of either party, to the extent practicable an order for parenting time must include a specific schedule for parenting time, including the frequency and duration of visitation and visitation during holidays and vacations, unless parenting time is restricted, denied, or reserved.

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (f)new text end The court administrator shall provide a form for a pro se motion regarding parenting time disputes, which includes provisions for indicating the relief requested, an affidavit in which the party may state the facts of the dispute, and a brief description of the parenting time expeditor process under section 518.1751. The form may not include a request for a change of custody. The court shall provide instructions on serving and filing the motion.

deleted text begin (e)deleted text end new text begin (g)new text end In the absence of other evidence, there is a rebuttable presumption that a parent is entitled to receive at least 25 percent of the parenting time for the child. For purposes of this paragraph, the percentage of parenting time may be determined by calculating the number of overnights that a child spends with a parent or by using a method other than overnights if the parent has significant time periods on separate days when the child is in the parent's physical custody but does not stay overnight. The court may consider the age of the child in determining whether a child is with a parent for a significant period of time.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 518.175, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Modification of parenting plan or order for parenting time.

new text begin (a) new text end If modification would serve the best interests of the child, the court shall modify the decision-making provisions of a parenting plan or an order granting or denying parenting time, if the modification would not change the child's primary residence. new text begin Consideration of a child's best interest includes a child's changing developmental needs.new text end

new text begin (b) new text end Except as provided in section 631.52, the court may not restrict parenting time unless it finds that:

(1) parenting time is likely to endanger the child's physical or emotional health or impair the child's emotional development; or

(2) the parent has chronically and unreasonably failed to comply with court-ordered parenting time.

new text begin A modification of parenting time which increases a parent's percentage of parenting time to an amount that is between 45.1 to 54.9 percent parenting time is not a restriction of the other parent's parenting time. new text end

new text begin (c) new text end If a parent makes specific allegations that parenting time by the other parent places the parent or child in danger of harm, the court shall hold a hearing at the earliest possible time to determine the need to modify the order granting parenting time. Consistent with subdivision 1a, the court may require a third party, including the local social services agency, to supervise the parenting time or may restrict a parent's parenting time if necessary to protect the other parent or child from harm. If there is an existing order for protection governing the parties, the court shall consider the use of an independent, neutral exchange location for parenting time.

Presented to the governor May 1, 2014

Signed by the governor May 5, 2014, 4:22 p.m.

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes