Child Custody - Legal Decision-Making and Parenting Time
If enacted, this bill will necessitate updates to existing family law practices, requiring courts to adopt new terminology while assessing children's parental arrangements. It grants the court authority to support joint legal decision-making, allowing for shared responsibilities between parents, and sets forth specific factors to be considered in determining the best interests of the child. The modifications aim to enhance the judicial process surrounding custody disputes, promoting a more centered approach on the child’s well-being.
House Bill 1168 seeks to modernize and reform child custody terminology and processes in Maryland by replacing outdated terms such as 'child custody' and 'visitation' with 'legal decision-making' and 'parenting time'. The bill emphasizes the importance of stability and long-term welfare for children, promoting frequent and meaningful contact with both parents who can act in the child's best interest. The proposed changes aim to facilitate better communication and collaboration between parents regarding their children's needs, particularly when they do not reside together.
While the bill is expected to improve child custody proceedings by prioritizing children’s welfare, there could be potential disputes regarding the interpretation of joint legal decision-making and how it functions in practice. Critics may argue that the complexities of communication between parents, especially in contentious situations, could make effective co-parenting more challenging. Provisions concerning parental decisions during military deployments also raise considerations about how the bill balances shared responsibility against the realities of situations where one parent may be unable to participate due to service commitments.