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HF 322

as introduced - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 02/02/2011 09:13am

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.
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A bill for an act
relating to children; establishing a presumption of joint physical custody; creating
the Children's Equal and Shared Parenting Act; requiring certain parenting plans;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 257.541; 518.003, subdivision 3;
518.091; 518.131, subdivision 1; 518.156; 518.167, subdivision 2; 518.175,
subdivision 1; 518.18; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 518; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 518.17, subdivision 2.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 257.541, is amended to read:


257.541 CUSTODY AND PARENTING TIME WITH CHILDREN BORN
OUTSIDE OF MARRIAGE.

Subdivision 1.

Mother's right to custody.

The biological mother of a child born to
a mother who was not married to the child's father when the child was born and was not
married to the child's father when the child was conceived has sole custody of the child
until paternity has been established under sections 257.51 to 257.74, or until custody is
determined in a separate proceeding under section 518.156.

Subd. 2.

Father's right to parenting time and custody.

(a) If paternity has been
acknowledged under section 257.34 and paternity has been established under sections
257.51 to 257.74, the father's rights of parenting time or custody are determined under
sectionsnew text begin 518.169,new text end 518.17new text begin ,new text end and 518.175.

(b) If paternity has not been acknowledged under section 257.34 and paternity has
been established under sections 257.51 to 257.74, the biological father may petition for
rights of parenting time or custody in the paternity proceeding or in a separate proceeding
under section 518.156. new text begin The rights of parenting time or custody must be determined under
section 518.169.
new text end

Subd. 3.

Father's right to parenting time and custody; recognition of paternity.

If paternity has been recognized under section 257.75, the father may petition for rights of
parenting time or custody in an independent action under section 518.156. The proceeding
must be treated as an initial determination of custody under section 518.17. The provisions
of deleted text begin chapter 518deleted text end new text begin section 518.169new text end apply with respect to the granting of custody and parenting
time. An action to determine custody and parenting time may be commenced pursuant
to chapter 518 without an adjudication of parentage. These proceedings may not be
combined with any proceeding under chapter 518B.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for temporary orders and child
custody determinations made on or after January 1, 2012.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 518.003, subdivision 3, is amended to read:


Subd. 3.

Custody.

Unless otherwise agreed by the parties:

(a) "Legal custody" means the right to determine the child's upbringing, including
education, health care, and religious training.

(b) "Joint legal custody" means that both parents have equal rights and
responsibilities, including the right to participate in major decisions determining the
child's upbringing, including education, health care, and religious training.

(c) "deleted text begin Physical custody and residencedeleted text end new text begin Primary residential parentnew text end " means the new text begin parent
with
new text end routine daily care and control and the residence of the child.

(d) "Joint physical custody" means that the routine daily care and control and the
residence of the child is structured between the partiesdeleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin and that the parents share time
with the child equally. For purposes of this definition, "equally" means at least 45.1
percent parenting time for each parent.
new text end

(e) Wherever used in this chapter, the term "custodial parent" or "custodian" means
the person who has the physical custody of the child at any particular time.

(f) "Custody determination" means a court decision and court orders and instructions
providing for the custody of a child, including parenting time, but does not include a
decision relating to child support or any other monetary obligation of any person.

(g) "Custody proceeding" includes proceedings in which a custody determination is
one of several issues, such as an action for dissolution, divorce, or separation, and includes
proceedings involving children who are in need of protection or services, domestic abuse,
and paternity.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for temporary orders and child
custody determinations made on or after January 1, 2012.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 518.091, is amended to read:


518.091 SUMMONS; TEMPORARY RESTRAINING PROVISIONS;
NOTICE REGARDING PARENT EDUCATION PROGRAM REQUIREMENTSnew text begin ;
NOTICE REGARDING PARENTING PLANS
new text end .

Subdivision 1.

Temporary restraining orders.

(a) Every summons must include
the notice in this subdivision.

NOTICE OF TEMPORARY RESTRAINING AND ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE

RESOLUTION PROVISIONS

UNDER MINNESOTA LAW, SERVICE OF THIS SUMMONS MAKES THE
FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS APPLY TO BOTH PARTIES TO THIS ACTION,
UNLESS THEY ARE MODIFIED BY THE COURT OR THE PROCEEDING IS
DISMISSED:

(1) NEITHER PARTY MAY DISPOSE OF ANY ASSETS EXCEPT (i) FOR THE
NECESSITIES OF LIFE OR FOR THE NECESSARY GENERATION OF INCOME OR
PRESERVATION OF ASSETS, (ii) BY AN AGREEMENT IN WRITING, OR (iii) FOR
RETAINING COUNSEL TO CARRY ON OR TO CONTEST THIS PROCEEDING;

(2) NEITHER PARTY MAY HARASS THE OTHER PARTY; AND

(3) ALL CURRENTLY AVAILABLE INSURANCE COVERAGE MUST BE
MAINTAINED AND CONTINUED WITHOUT CHANGE IN COVERAGE OR
BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION.

IF YOU VIOLATE ANY OF THESE PROVISIONS, YOU WILL BE SUBJECT
TO SANCTIONS BY THE COURT.

(4) PARTIES TO A MARRIAGE DISSOLUTION PROCEEDING ARE
ENCOURAGED TO ATTEMPT ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
PURSUANT TO MINNESOTA LAW. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
INCLUDES MEDIATION, ARBITRATION, AND OTHER PROCESSES AS SET
FORTH IN THE DISTRICT COURT RULES. YOU MAY CONTACT THE COURT
ADMINISTRATOR ABOUT RESOURCES IN YOUR AREA. IF YOU CANNOT
PAY FOR MEDIATION OR ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION, IN SOME
COUNTIES, ASSISTANCE MAY BE AVAILABLE TO YOU THROUGH A
NONPROFIT PROVIDER OR A COURT PROGRAM. IF YOU ARE A VICTIM OF
DOMESTIC ABUSE OR THREATS OF ABUSE AS DEFINED IN MINNESOTA
STATUTES, CHAPTER 518B, YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO TRY MEDIATION
AND YOU WILL NOT BE PENALIZED BY THE COURT IN LATER PROCEEDINGS.

(b) Upon service of the summons, the restraining provisions contained in the notice
apply by operation of law upon both parties until modified by further order of the court or
dismissal of the proceeding, unless more than one year has passed since the last document
was filed with the court.

Subd. 2.

Parent education program requirements.

Every summons involving
custody or parenting time of a minor child must include the notice in this subdivision.

NOTICE OF PARENT EDUCATION PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 518.157, IN A CONTESTED
PROCEEDING INVOLVING CUSTODY OR PARENTING TIME OF A MINOR
CHILD, THE PARTIES MUST BEGIN PARTICIPATION IN A PARENT EDUCATION
PROGRAM THAT MEETS MINIMUM STANDARDS PROMULGATED BY THE
MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER THE FIRST FILING
WITH THE COURT. IN SOME DISTRICTS, PARENTING EDUCATION MAY BE
REQUIRED IN ALL CUSTODY OR PARENTING PROCEEDINGS. YOU MAY
CONTACT THE DISTRICT COURT ADMINISTRATOR FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION REGARDING THIS REQUIREMENT AND THE AVAILABILITY
OF PARENT EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Parenting plan requirements. new text end

new text begin Every summons must include the notice
in this subdivision.
new text end

new text begin NOTICE OF PARENTING PLAN REQUIREMENTS
new text end

new text begin A PARENTING PLAN MUST BE CREATED. FOR JOINT PHYSICAL
CUSTODY THE PLAN MUST INCLUDE A SCHEDULE OF TIME EACH PARENT
SPENDS WITH THE CHILD WITH A MINIMUM OF 45.1 PERCENT TIME FOR
EACH PARENT. IF BOTH PARENTS DO NOT AGREE TO A PARENTING PLAN,
THE COURT SHALL CREATE ONE ON ITS OWN MOTION, EXCEPT THAT THE
COURT MUST NOT DO SO IF IT FINDS THAT A PARENT HAS BEEN CONVICTED
OF DOMESTIC ABUSE AGAINST A PARENT OR CHILD WHO IS A PARTY TO, OR
SUBJECT OF, THE MATTER BEFORE THE COURT. PARENTING PLANS MUST BE
BASED ON MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 518.169.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for summons issued on or after
January 1, 2012.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 518.131, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Permissible orders.

In a proceeding brought for custody, dissolution,
or legal separation, or for disposition of property, maintenance, or child support following
the dissolution of a marriage, either party may, by motion, request from the court and the
court may grant a temporary order pending the final disposition of the proceeding to or for:

(a) Temporary custody and parenting timenew text begin pursuant to section 518.169, subdivision
2,
new text end regarding the minor children of the parties;

(b) Temporary maintenance of either spouse;

(c) Temporary child support for the children of the parties;

(d) Temporary costs and reasonable attorney fees;

(e) Award the temporary use and possession, exclusive or otherwise, of the family
home, furniture, household goods, automobiles, and other property of the parties;

(f) Restrain one or both parties from transferring, encumbering, concealing, or
disposing of property except in the usual course of business or for the necessities of
life, and to account to the court for all such transfers, encumbrances, dispositions, and
expenditures made after the order is served or communicated to the party restrained in
open court;

(g) Restrain one or both parties from harassing, vilifying, mistreating, molesting,
disturbing the peace, or restraining the liberty of the other party or the children of the
parties;

(h) Restrain one or both parties from removing any minor child of the parties from
the jurisdiction of the court;

(i) Exclude a party from the family home of the parties or from the home of the
other party; and

(j) Require one or both of the parties to perform or to not perform such additional
acts as will facilitate the just and speedy disposition of the proceeding, or will protect the
parties or their children from physical or emotional harm.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for temporary orders issued on or
after January 1, 2012.
new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 518.156, is amended to read:


518.156 COMMENCEMENT OF CUSTODY PROCEEDING.

Subdivision 1.

Procedure.

In a court of this state which has jurisdiction to decide
child custody matters, a child custody proceeding is commenced by a parent:

(1) by filing a petition for dissolution or legal separation; or

(2) where a decree of dissolution or legal separation has been entered or where
none is sought, or when paternity has been recognized under section 257.75, by filing a
petition or motion seeking custody or parenting time with the child in the county where
the child is permanently resident or where the child is found or where an earlier order
for custody of the child has been entered.

Subd. 2.

Required notice.

new text begin (a) new text end Written notice of a child custody or parenting time or
visitation proceeding shall be given to the child's parent, guardian, and custodian, who
may appear and be heard and may file a responsive pleading. The court may, upon a
showing of good cause, permit the intervention of other interested parties.

new text begin (b) Every notice must include the following notice of parenting plan requirements.
new text end

new text begin NOTICE OF PARENTING PLAN REQUIREMENTS
new text end

new text begin A PARENTING PLAN MUST BE CREATED. FOR JOINT PHYSICAL
CUSTODY THE PLAN MUST INCLUDE A SCHEDULE OF TIME EACH PARENT
SPENDS WITH THE CHILD WITH A MINIMUM OF 45.1 PERCENT TIME FOR
EACH PARENT. IF BOTH PARENTS DO NOT AGREE TO A PARENTING PLAN,
THE COURT SHALL CREATE ONE ON ITS OWN MOTION, EXCEPT THAT THE
COURT MUST NOT DO SO IF IT FINDS THAT A PARENT HAS BEEN CONVICTED
OF DOMESTIC ABUSE AGAINST A PARENT OR CHILD WHO IS A PARTY TO, OR
SUBJECT OF, THE MATTER BEFORE THE COURT. PARENTING PLANS MUST BE
BASED ON MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 518.169.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for all notices issued on or after
January 1, 2012.
new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 518.167, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Preparation.

(a) In preparing a report concerning a child, the investigator
may consult any person who may have information about the child and the potential
custodial arrangements except for persons involved in mediation efforts between the
parties. Mediation personnel may disclose to investigators and evaluators information
collected during mediation only if agreed to in writing by all parties. Upon order of the
court, the investigator may refer the child to professional personnel for diagnosis. The
investigator may consult with and obtain information from medical, psychiatric, school
personnel, or other expert persons who have served the child in the past after obtaining the
consent of the parents or the child's custodian or guardian.

(b) The report submitted by the investigator must consider and evaluate the factors
in section 518.17, subdivision 1, and include a detailed analysis of all information
considered for each factor. deleted text begin If joint custody is contemplated or sought,deleted text end The report must
consider and evaluate the factors in section deleted text begin 518.17, subdivision 2deleted text end new text begin 518.169, subdivision
2
new text end , state the position of each party and the investigator's recommendation and the reason
for the recommendation, and reference established means for dispute resolution between
the parties.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for all investigations ordered on
or after January 1, 2011.
new text end

Sec. 7.

new text begin [518.169] CHILDREN'S EQUAL AND SHARED PARENTING ACT.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Public policy. new text end

new text begin (a) The legislature, recognizing the importance
of protections afforded children by their ability to develop strong parental bonds, and
recognizing the fundamental interest of liberty that parents enjoy respecting the care,
custody, and companionship of their children, finds and declares the following with
respect to the intent of Minnesota laws relating to families:
new text end

new text begin (1) an intact, involved two-parent home provides the optimal environment through
which children grow into productive and responsible adult citizens;
new text end

new text begin (2) parents are primary in the nurturing and development of their children. Our
society, state, and statutes are secondary structures designed to support, not supplant, both
parents in their role as the primary shapers of their children;
new text end

new text begin (3) mothers and fathers provide unique and invaluable contributions toward the
development of their children. Each parent's contributions to the upbringing of their
children are indistinguishable and equally necessary to assure children the best opportunity
to develop into healthy citizens;
new text end

new text begin (4) children should be separated from their parents only under the most compelling
and unusual circumstances in order to protect a child from substantial and imminent harm;
new text end

new text begin (5) children should have frequent and continuing physical contact with both parents
under joint legal and physical custody when the parents live separately, including after
parental separation or dissolution of marriage. The proper role of the state is to interfere to
the least degree in familial relationships with the specific purpose of preserving maximum
time allocations with each parent and their children;
new text end

new text begin (6) parents may, and should be encouraged to, reach any agreement mutually
acceptable to them regarding their parenting time allocations that reflects the individual
circumstances of the parents. In the event parents cannot reach agreement on a parenting
arrangement, it is the specific intent of Minnesota law that parents have a right to a
rebuttable presumption of equal time with their children; and
new text end

new text begin (7) the judiciary in contested custody proceedings should demonstrate consistent
application of the presumption in favor of joint legal and joint physical custody in order to
minimize the adversarial nature of custody proceedings.
new text end

new text begin (b) The purpose of this section is to prevent children from being alienated or
disenfranchised from their parents' lives through the interference of either parent.
new text end

new text begin (c) This section establishes clear legislative policy regarding the relationship of
children with each parent when the parents live separately.
new text end

new text begin (d) In accordance with the findings in paragraph (a), the legislature declares that
public policy is advanced and the best interests of children are promoted through equal and
shared parenting and the recognition of both parents' fundamental freedoms to actively
participate in the care, custody, and companionship of their children.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Joint custody. new text end

new text begin (a) In cases of marital dissolution or unmarried parentage,
when paternity has been established, both parents enjoy a rebuttable presumption of joint
legal and joint physical custody of their children, and a rebuttable presumption the court
will award a parenting minimum of 45.1 percent for each parent.
new text end

new text begin (b) The burden of overcoming the presumption rests on the parent challenging the
presumption. The presumption may only be overcome by demonstrating an unfitness of
the parent being challenged that would cause substantial harm to the children. The clear
and convincing evidence standard must be used in making a fitness determination.
new text end

new text begin (c) Knowingly making false allegations of child or spousal abuse is sufficient
grounds to challenge the parental fitness of the accuser. Allegations raised in the context
of divorce or custody proceedings deserve heightened scrutiny as to their veracity.
new text end

new text begin (d) Allegations of substance abuse, mental illness, spousal or child abuse or neglect,
and any subsequent issuance of protective orders are not sufficient to cause cessation or
reduction in parent and child contact. When the fitness of a parent is challenged, the court
must find by clear and convincing evidence that the parent's behaviors would qualify
the parent's child to be found in need of protection or services under section 260C.007,
subdivisions 13 and 15, or the parent is found to meet the criteria as a chemically
dependent person under section 253B.02, subdivision 2. In no instance may the court limit
parent and child contact absent compelling necessity to prevent substantial and imminent
harm to the child.
new text end

new text begin (e) The court shall provide written findings of fact and conclusions of law when
entering an order that does not maintain the presumption of joint legal and joint physical
custody. The court must make written findings that enumerate which of the factors in this
subdivision are applicable and by what evidence these factors were demonstrated.
new text end

new text begin (f) If the court finds that a party has overcome the presumption in favor of joint
physical custody, the court shall use the best interest standards in section 257.025 or
518.17, subdivision 1, as applicable, to makes its determination for custodial arrangements.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for temporary orders and child
custody determinations made on or after January 1, 2011.
new text end

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, 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.

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.

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.

(b) 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.

(c) 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.

(d) 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.

(e) In the absence of other evidence, there is a rebuttable presumption that a
parent is entitled to receive at least deleted text begin 25deleted text end new text begin 45.1new text end 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. new text begin If the court
finds that a party has overcome the presumption in favor of joint physical custody,
new text end the
court may consider the age of the child in determining whether a child is with a parent
for a significant period of time.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for child custody determinations
made on or after January 1, 2012.
new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 518.18, is amended to read:


518.18 MODIFICATION OF ORDER.

(a) Unless agreed to in writing by the parties, no motion to modify a custody order
or parenting plan may be made earlier than one year after the date of the entry of a decree
of dissolution or legal separation containing a provision dealing with custody, except in
accordance with paragraph (c).

(b) If a motion for modification has been heard, whether or not it was granted, unless
agreed to in writing by the parties no subsequent motion may be filed within two years
after disposition of the prior motion on its merits, except in accordance with paragraph (c).

(c) The time limitations prescribed in paragraphs (a) and (b) shall not prohibit a
motion to modify a custody order or parenting plan if the court finds that there is persistent
and willful denial or interference with parenting time, or has reason to believe that the
child's present environment may endanger the child's physical or emotional health or
impair the child's emotional development.

(d) If the court has jurisdiction to determine child custody matters, the court shall
not modify a prior custody order or a parenting plan provision which specifies the child's
primary residence unless it finds, upon the basis of facts, including unwarranted denial of,
or interference with, a duly established parenting time schedule, that have arisen since the
prior order or that were unknown to the court at the time of the prior order, that a change
has occurred in the circumstances of the child or the parties and that the modification is
necessary to serve the best interests of the child. In applying these standards the court
shall retain the custody arrangement or the parenting plan provision specifying the child's
primary residence that was established by the prior order unless:

(i) the court finds that a change in the custody arrangement or primary residence is in
the best interests of the child and the parties previously agreed, in a writing approved by a
court, to apply the best interests standard in section 518.17 or 257.025, as applicable; and,
with respect to agreements approved by a court on or after April 28, 2000, both parties
were represented by counsel when the agreement was approved or the court found the
parties were fully informed, the agreement was voluntary, and the parties were aware
of its implications;

(ii) both parties agree to the modification;

(iii) the child has been integrated into the family of the petitioner with the consent
of the other party;

(iv) the child's present environment endangers the child's physical or emotional
health or impairs the child's emotional development and the harm likely to be caused by a
change of environment is outweighed by the advantage of a change to the child; or

(v) the court has denied a request of the primary custodial parent to move the
residence of the child to another state, and the primary custodial parent has relocated
to another state despite the court's order.

In addition, a court may modify a custody order or parenting plan under section
631.52.

(e) In deciding whether to modify a prior joint custody order, the court shall apply
the standards set forth in paragraph (d) unless: (1) the parties agree in writing to the
application of a different standard, or (2) the party seeking the modification is asking the
court for permission to move the residence of the child to another state.

(f) If a parent has been granted sole physical custody of a minor and the child
subsequently lives with the other parent, and temporary sole physical custody has been
approved by the court or by a court-appointed referee, the court may suspend the obligor's
child support obligation pending the final custody determination. The court's order
denying the suspension of child support must include a written explanation of the reasons
why continuation of the child support obligation would be in the best interests of the child.

new text begin (g) Except as expressly provided, an enactment, amendment, or repeal of law does
not constitute grounds for a modification of a child custody order.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2012.
new text end

Sec. 10. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 518.17, subdivision 2, new text end new text begin is repealed.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2012.
new text end