HB 917 Summary

• Adds child welfare protection as a statutory purpose by requiring custody transitions to consider each child's developmental stage and psychological needs.

• Allows concurrent custody petitions to include requests for transitioning custody provisions and visitation plans related to child welfare protection.

• Authorizes courts to establish conditions demonstrating parental fitness that must be met before a parent can regain custody following orders based on parental unfitness or inability to locate parents.

• Requires courts to establish transition conditions for returning custody to parents that consider the duration of extended family placement, child's developmental needs, gradual transition necessity, and visitation with the extended family member.

• Takes effect July 1, 2019.