SB 1073 Summary

• Requires courts to hold evidentiary hearings on temporary orders in legal decision-making and parenting time cases within 60 days of a party filing a motion, unless the filing party waives the requirement, temporary orders are established through a separate conference within 60 days, or extraordinary circumstances prevent scheduling.

• Courts must provide written findings on the record explaining any delays beyond the 60-day timeframe due to extraordinary circumstances.

• Courts may charge parties for necessary travel and other expenses of witnesses whose presence the court deems necessary to determine the child's best interest.

• Permits courts to exclude the public from custody hearings if a public hearing may be detrimental to the child's welfare, while allowing those with direct interest or legitimate educational/research interest in court operations to attend.

• Allows courts to seal records of interviews, reports, investigations, or testimony in legal decision-making and parenting time proceedings when necessary to protect the child's welfare.