The bill amends Section 109 of Title 43 of the Oklahoma Statutes, which pertains to child custody and guardianship. It emphasizes that in custody decisions, the court must prioritize the best interests of the child's physical, mental, and moral welfare. The bill introduces a definition for "coercive control," detailing various forms of abusive behavior that can impact custody decisions. It establishes a rebuttable presumption against joint custody or shared parenting plans if there is evidence of child abuse, domestic violence, stalking, or harassment, favoring the non-perpetrating parent instead.

Additionally, the bill outlines the requirements for parents seeking joint custody, including the submission of a detailed plan for care, custody, and control of the child, which must be accompanied by an affidavit from each parent. The court retains the authority to modify or terminate joint custody arrangements based on the child's best interests and may appoint an arbitrator to resolve disputes between parents. The effective date for this legislation is set for November 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 43-109