This bill establishes a committee to study the child protection act, introduces a right for parties in family court proceedings to present evidence and testimony, adds restrictions to income assignments for child support, and authorizes the use of parenting coordinators in high-conflict family court cases. The committee will study the definitions under the child protection act, circumstances creating a rebuttable presumption of harm, and the expansion of the child abuse reporting requirement. It will also propose any legislation deemed appropriate from its study. The bill requires the court to note the reason for its decision in the record if it admits or refuses evidence or testimony over the objection of one of the parties.

The bill also mandates the development of a standard form for waiving garnishment of wages for child support, detailing when garnishment will become mandatory, preferred payment arrangements, and responsibilities for record-keeping and reporting missed payments. It outlines the qualifications and requirements for parenting coordinators, including educational and professional experience, training, and licensing. The bill provides for the appointment of a parenting coordinator by the court in high-conflict cases upon agreement by both parties, and establishes immunity for parenting coordinators from civil liability except in cases of willful and wanton acts or omissions. The bill's sections on income assignment and parenting coordinators take effect on January 1, 2025, while the section on evidence and testimony takes effect 60 days after passage, and the remainder of the act takes effect upon passage. The fiscal note indicates that the bill will have no impact on state, county, or local expenditures or revenue.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 169-C:3, 169-C:29
As Amended by the House: 458-B:2, 458-B:3