This bill amends Minnesota Statutes regarding family law, specifically focusing on custody and parenting time presumptions. It modifies the evaluation criteria for determining the best interests of the child by updating the factors the court must consider, including the child's needs, parental involvement, and the impact of domestic abuse. Notably, the bill removes the presumption against joint physical custody in cases of domestic abuse and establishes a rebuttable presumption that joint custody is not in the child's best interests if such abuse has occurred. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of both parents' ability to maintain nurturing relationships with their children and prohibits the court from favoring one parent based solely on gender.

The bill also revises the provisions related to parenting time, increasing the minimum percentage of parenting time a child must receive from 25% to 50%. It ensures that parenting time orders include specific schedules and allows for restrictions if a parent's involvement poses a risk to the child's well-being. Furthermore, it mandates that the court consider a parent's inability to pay support as insufficient grounds for denying parenting time. The effective date for these changes is set for August 1, 2026, applying to proceedings initiated on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 518.17, 518.175