SB505 Summary

• Establishes legislative findings that children deserve substantial and meaningful relationships with both parents and creates a presumption that parents should make child-rearing decisions together absent clear and convincing evidence of compelling reasons otherwise.

• Requires a parenting plan in all cases involving separated parents with children, including designation of physical residence, time-sharing schedule, and decision-making authority for care, health, school, and activities.

• Creates a rebuttable presumption of equal time-sharing between parents in court-ordered parenting plans unless the court makes written findings that equal division would not serve the child's best interests.

• Allows parents to submit agreed parenting plans with a rebuttable presumption they serve the child's best interest, and permits parents to seek professional assistance in developing plans.

• Provides equal access to medical, psychological, dental, and school records for both parents and establishes remedies for parents who violate time-sharing schedules, including makeup time, attorney's fees, parenting courses, and community service.