Senate Bill 153 Summary

• Amends Indiana Code IC 31-14-13-2.3 to modify factors courts must consider when awarding joint legal custody in paternity cases.

• Adds three new considerations: whether the child has had an opportunity to establish a close relationship with each parent, whether a parent wishes to establish such a relationship, and whether a parent has attempted to prevent the other parent from establishing a relationship.

• Modifies existing language to clarify that courts should consider whether a child has had an opportunity to establish (in addition to whether they have established) a close and beneficial relationship with both parents.

• Renumbers existing factors from (5), (6), and (7) to (7), (8), and (9) to accommodate the new provisions.

• Takes effect July 1, 2010.