HB 1082 Summary

• Amends 43 O.S. 2021, Section 109 to modify child custody law by replacing "appears to be" with "is" in the best interests standard for awarding custody.

• Establishes a rebuttable presumption that joint custody and equally shared parenting time is in the best interest of the child, requiring parents to submit joint custody plans detailing physical living arrangements, child support, medical care, school placement, and visitation rights.

• Creates rebuttable presumptions against custody or shared parenting arrangements with parents convicted of child abuse, domestic violence, stalking, or harassment, and with parents subject to Sex Offenders Registration Act, Mary Rippy Violent Crime Offenders Registration Act, or similar registries.

• Permits courts to terminate joint custody decrees upon request of one or both parents or when the decree is not in the child's best interests, and allows appointment of arbitrators to resolve disputes between jointly-custodial parents.

• Becomes effective November 1, 2025.