The definition of equal decisionmaking responsibility and equal parenting time, the best interests of the child factors, and the residence of a child; and to provide for application.
Impact
The introduction of SB2383 represents a significant shift in family law, as it prioritizes equal rights for both parents in custody and decision-making processes. This initiative is expected to impact ongoing court actions concerning parental disputes, establishing a new legal framework to interpret child welfare cases. By embedding the presumption of parental fitness into law, it aims to remove bias that might favor one parent over another based on gender or other factors, thus fostering a more equitable environment for resolving custody matters.
Summary
Senate Bill 2383 aims to amend and enact sections in the North Dakota Century Code focusing on parental rights and responsibilities, specifically introducing concepts such as equal decision-making responsibility and equal residential responsibility for children. The bill emphasizes that both parents should be presumed fit to care for their children unless proven otherwise. It seeks to ensure that parental roles are balanced and promotes shared parenting, mandating that both parents have equal opportunities to make decisions for their child's welfare and to be involved in their lives equally.
Sentiment
The sentiment around SB2383 has shown mixed reactions. Supporters, advocating for shared parenting and gender neutrality, believe that the bill is a progressive step towards equipping parents with equal standing under the law. Critics, however, express concerns about potential adverse effects where the quality of parenting may not be equally balanced, potentially detrimental to the child's best interests. The emotional and practical implications of equal parenting responsibilities are at the forefront of the debate, invoking strong feelings from both proponents and opponents.
Contention
Notable points of contention surrounding SB2383 involve concerns over how 'equal residential responsibility' will be practically enforced, particularly in high-conflict cases or those involving domestic violence. Critics fear that the presumption of fitness could inadvertently undermine the welfare of children if a parent with a history of harmful behavior is granted equal rights. Additionally, the logistics of equal time-sharing with a possible requirement to accommodate parents' relocation poses questions about the bill's real-world applications, raising fears of inflated disputes in court, potentially resulting in a backlog of cases.
Family foster care for children licenses, certifications, and approvals, and identified and kinship relatives; and to provide for a report to legislative management.
Fingerprint criminal history record checks for certified family foster home for children providers and psychiatric residential treatment facility for children, identifying who the department of health and human services may require criminal history record checks from, and criminal history record checks for volunteers and students for field placement at child-placing agencies and children's advocacy centers.
Conditions of eligibility for release programs, sentencing of violent offenders, assumption of risk in crimes, revocation of teacher's license due to a crime against a child, child welfare definitions, petition for termination of parental rights, and the statute of limitations for felonies except murder or mass murder; and to provide a penalty.
Early childhood services, resource and referral services, workforce development, early childhood inclusion support program, best in class program, and disclosure of child abuse and neglect confirmed decisions involving early childhood services.
AN ACT to provide for a study of youth services for children impacted or potentially impacted by human trafficking; and to provide for a legislative management report.
Child abuse and neglect, the child abuse information index, disclosure of records for child protection purposes, prenatal exposure to controlled substances and alcohol, and alternative response assessments.
Requires electric public utilities to establish interest-free revolving loan program to help residential customers purchase standby emergency power generators.
Requires electric public utilities to establish interest-free revolving loan program to help residential customers purchase standby emergency power generators.
Relating to the continuation of and powers and duties of the Office of Public Utility Counsel to represent residential and small commercial utility consumers.