MI HB4480

Amends Michigan's definition of "best interests of the child" in custody disputes to include 12 specific factors courts must consider and evaluate.

Adds domestic violence as an explicit factor, requiring courts to consider violence regardless of whether it was directed at or witnessed by the child.

Protects parents who take reasonable action to protect themselves or their child from sexual assault or domestic violence from having that action considered negatively when evaluating their willingness to facilitate parent-child relationships.

Effective date is August 1, 2016.