S643 - Temporary Child Custody Orders

• Allows parties filing for divorce to participate in mediation when they disagree on temporary custody arrangements.

• Requires the status quo custody arrangement from during the marriage to remain in effect until a permanent arrangement is agreed upon or court-ordered.

• Grants the primary caregiver (parent who spent majority of time with child) physical custody and decision-making authority regarding education, health, and religion, while non-primary caregiver receives every-other-weekend visitation.

• Permits primary caregiver to remain in the marital home with the dependent child, with non-primary caregiver required to vacate within 14 calendar days; leaving the home is not considered abandonment.

• Becomes effective upon enactment and applies to temporary custody actions filed on or after that date.