HB239 Summary

• Revises custody definitions to align with case law terminology and eliminates the "sole physical custody with visitation rights" framework, replacing it with "primary physical custody" and "nonresidential custodial parent" concepts.

• Requires all child custody cases to include a parenting plan specifying time-sharing arrangements, care responsibilities, medical and dental care, holidays, and school determinations; previously only required for joint custody cases.

• Authorizes courts to establish parenting plans when parents cannot agree, with presumption that jointly-submitted plans are in the child's best interest unless court makes specific findings otherwise.

• Creates new remedies (§30-3-158) when a parent violates the time-sharing schedule, including makeup parenting time, court costs and attorney's fees, mandatory parenting courses, reimbursement for actual costs incurred, and other reasonable remedies in addition to contempt charges.

• Takes effect January 1, 2018.