The proposed bill would significantly update current statutes related to legal decision-making and parenting time in cases of domestic violence. It introduces definitions of "coercive control" and "domestic violence," enhancing the legal framework for addressing these issues. The bill mandates that the court prioritize the safety and well-being of children and victims in legal decision-making and parenting time matters and prohibits courts from requiring victims to participate in treatment programs with their abuser. Additionally, it establishes a rebuttable presumption against awarding legal decision-making or parenting time to a parent who has committed domestic violence, unless they can provide clear and convincing evidence to overcome this presumption. Furthermore, the bill removes the requirement for courts to evaluate the relevance of a parent's treatment program in relation to their history of domestic violence and modifies the factors courts must consider when addressing allegations of domestic violence. It also prohibits joint counseling between victims and perpetrators of domestic violence and outlines specific precautions the court must take to ensure safety, such as supervised parenting time and confidentiality of addresses. Overall, these updates aim to strengthen protections for victims and children in domestic violence situations, ensuring that the court's decisions align with the best interests of the child and the safety of the victim.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 25-403.03, 25-404, 25-411, 13-3601, 36-3001, 25-403.02, 13-1204, 25-403.10, 8-201, 25-403
House Engrossed Version: 25-403.03, 25-404, 25-411, 13-3601, 36-3001, 25-403.02, 13-1204, 25-403.10, 8-201, 25-403
Senate Engrossed Version: 25-403.03, 25-404, 25-411, 13-3601, 25-103, 36-3001, 13-1204, 25-403.10, 8-201, 13-3602, 13-404, 13-406, 25-403