Virginia House Bill HB69

Virginia 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/4/22
• Refer: 1/4/22

Caption

Best interests of the child; assuring frequent and continuing contact with both parents.

Impact

The proposed changes to the law seek to enhance the involvement of both parents in the child's life, promoting a shared parenting model that is deemed beneficial for children's development. The bill outlines multiple factors that judges must consider when determining custody and visitation rights, which includes the child's age and conditions, relationships with parents, and any history of family abuse. By specifying these criteria, the bill aims to provide a clearer framework for judges and parents alike, ideally leading to more consistent and equitable custody decisions.

Summary

House Bill 69 aims to amend and reenact §20-124.3 of the Code of Virginia, focusing on the determination of a child's best interests when establishing custody or visitation arrangements. The bill mandates that courts assure a minor child has frequent and continuing contact with both parents unless specific safety concerns such as abuse or neglect are present. It emphasizes balancing the time spent with each parent, thereby encouraging joint parenting as a framework for custody arrangements.

Contention

Notable points of contention around HB69 revolve around the practical implications of enforcing such mandates. Advocates argue that ensuring regular contact with both parents is crucial for child development, while opponents may raise concerns that this could overlook individual family circumstances where contact with one parent might not be safe or beneficial. By including detailed factors for consideration, the bill tries to address these nuances, but debates persist regarding how effectively the courts can implement these considerations in complex family situations.