The Family Sovereignty Act aims to amend the Revised Code to establish new guidelines for child custody and the filing of complaints related to child abuse, neglect, or dependency. A significant provision of the bill prohibits granting custody to non-parents when the child's parents are married and maintaining a family unit. It also restricts the ability to file complaints about abuse or neglect to specific entities, such as public children services agencies or private child placing agencies. The bill modifies the jurisdictional authority of juvenile and domestic relations courts, clarifying that they cannot determine custody in cases initiated by non-parents under these circumstances and specifying limitations on jurisdiction for cases initiated outside of Ohio.

Additionally, the bill outlines procedures for courts in divorce or separation cases, including the appointment of a guardian ad litem if requested and the assessment of the child's reasoning ability regarding parental allocations. It prohibits the acceptance of written or recorded statements from the child about their wishes, focusing instead on the child's best interest. The bill also introduces criteria for modifying parental rights decrees, allows for shared parenting plans to be jointly modified, and mandates expedited hearings for parents called to active military service. Importantly, it repeals certain sections of the Revised Code and requires courts to dismiss custody proceedings initiated by non-parents for lack of standing, reinforcing the protection of parental rights and the integrity of the family unit.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 2151.233, 2151.235, 2151.27, 3105.011, 3109.04, 3109.06