The bill amends Minnesota Statutes regarding family law, specifically focusing on custody and parenting time presumptions. It modifies the evaluation of a child's best interests by introducing a rebuttable presumption against joint legal and physical custody in cases where domestic abuse has occurred between parents. The court is required to consider the nature and context of the domestic abuse and its implications for the child's safety and well-being. Additionally, the bill emphasizes that the court must not prefer one parent over the other based solely on gender and must recognize the capacity of both parents to nurture their children unless substantial reasons suggest otherwise.

Furthermore, the bill increases the minimum percentage of parenting time a child must receive from 25% to 40%, ensuring that children maintain significant relationships with both parents. It also stipulates that a parent's inability to pay support cannot be used as a reason to deny parenting time. The effective date for these changes is set for August 1, 2025, applying to proceedings that begin on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 518.17, 518.175