SCS/SBs 744 & 1026 - This act modifies the factors a court shall consider when awarding custody to parents, including the willingness and ability of parents to cooperate in the rearing of their child; the child's physical, emotional, educational, and other needs; the mental health or substance use history experienced by either parent; the history of domestic and child abuse of any individuals involved; the distance between the residences of the parents; and the reasonable input of the child as to the child's custodian.

This act is identical to provisions in the perfected SS/SCS/SBs 767 & 1342 (2024) and HCS/SS#2/SB 862 (2024) and substantially similar to provisions of the perfected SS/SCS/SB 129 (2023).

SARAH HASKINS

Statutes affected:
Introduced (4016S.01): 452.375
Committee (4016S.02): 452.375

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Senate Committee Minutes:
SENATE COMMITTEE MINUTES Bill No.: SB 744
Sponsor: Arthur
Hearing Date: 1/29/2024


COMMITTEE: Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence

CHAIRMAN: Luetkemeyer

DATE REFERRED: 1/8/2024 DATE HEARING REQUESTED:



STAFF:
Cindy Kadlec
Katie O'Brien
Mary Grace Pringle
Harli Rhodes


WITNESSES GIVING INFORMATION:
Jeff Miller - Americans for Equal Shared Parenting
Jeremy Roberts - Americans for Equal Shared Parenting


WITNESSES FOR:
Lara Underwood - Missouri Association of Family Law Advocates
Angela Hirsch - Rape and Abuse Crisis Service
Matthew Huffman - Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence


WITNESSES AGAINST:
Timothy Faber - Individual