Existing law specifies that it is the policy of this state that parents who are divorced or separated have frequent and continuing contact with their children. Existing law also specifies that joint custody does not necessarily mean equal physical custody.
This bill would revise existing definitions regarding custody to be consistent with terminology used in case law and to move away from the concept that one parent has sole physical custody, while the other parent has visitation rights.
Existing law requires the parties in a child custody matter to submit a parenting plan only in cases where the parties request joint custody.
This bill would require the parties to submit a parenting plan in all cases. This bill would also authorize the court to establish a parenting plan when the parties are unable to agree upon one. This bill would specify additional remedies to a party when a parent, without proper cause, fails to adhere to the time sharing schedule in a parenting plan including makeup parenting time and reimbursement for costs and attorney fees.
Pending third reading on day 22 Favorable from Judiciary
Read for the second time and placed on the calendar
Read for the first time and referred to the Senate committee on Judiciary
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass adopted Roll Call 321
Third Reading Passed
Read for the second time and placed on the calendar
Read for the first time and referred to the House of Representatives committee on Judiciary
Source: Alabama Legislature