MS SB2742

Creates a rebuttable presumption that joint custody with equal parenting time is in the best interest of the child in all custody determinations, regardless of whether parents were ever married

Allows the presumption to be rebutted by a preponderance of the evidence, and requires courts to document reasons for deviating from equal custody arrangements unless both parents jointly petition for a different arrangement

Exempts cases involving domestic abuse protection orders from the joint custody presumption, and maintains existing protections against awarding custody to parents with a history of family violence

Establishes a shared parenting time credit system for child support calculations, with credits ranging from 15% to 50% based on the number of days (88-182.5) the obligated parent has custody

Removes the previous requirement that joint custody only be awarded upon application of both parents in irreconcilable differences divorces, making the equal custody presumption the default standard