Establishes the presumption in matrimonial proceedings for awarding shared parenting of minor children in the absence of an allegation that shared parenting would be detrimental to the best interests of the child; establishes an order of preference in awarding custody; defines shared parenting and parenting plan.
Establishes a division of early childhood within the office of children and family services to coordinate, consolidate and integrate early childhood programs.
Provides that the issue of military deployment shall not be considered as a factor in the awarding of custody in marital actions where a suitable child care plan is presented.
Relates to orders of protection with respect to companion animals; provides further protection for pets by authorizing the court to order a party to either relinquish a pet or to refrain from any contact with a pet.
Provides that a caregiver shall be eligible for assistance for child care under the child care block grant regardless of the hours the parent actually works.
Expands the persons responsible for reporting cases of suspected child abuse to include employees, volunteers, or agents of any corporate entity having an agreement with a municipality as a homeless shelter provider and the development of procedures related thereto.
Relates to chemical testing for prospective foster parents; includes, but is not limited to drug and alcohol testing; authorizes office of children and family services to issue random chemical testing, including but not limited to, drug testing, to foster parents.
Relates to consideration of gender-affirming health care or gender-affirming mental health care in child custody cases for purposes of jurisdiction, forum and enforcement of custody orders.
Relates to enacting the "safe landings for youth leaving foster care act" or "safe landings act", which provides protections for youth transitioning out of foster care who bring certain legal proceedings.
Authorizes the social services department to terminate the subsidies that may be provided to a parent who adopts a disabled or hard to place child under certain circumstances.
Authorizes school officials to temporarily retain custody of a suspected abused or maltreated child until a police or child protective services official arrives to determine whether it is safe to return the child to the parent or guardian.