The bill H. 4540 aims to amend several sections of the South Carolina Code of Laws concerning child custody and parenting time. It clarifies that the family court may only award sole custody or joint custody, eliminating any presumption for or against either type. Additionally, every child custody order must address parenting time, ensuring that the best interests of the child are prioritized in custody determinations. The bill also mandates that at temporary hearings where custody is contested, each parent must submit a parenting plan that outlines their preferences and the allocation of parenting time.

Key amendments include the definition of joint and sole custody, the requirement for parenting plans to be submitted at hearings, and the stipulation that the court must consider these plans before issuing custody orders. The bill emphasizes that there is no need for exceptional circumstances to award either type of custody and that the court must provide reasoning for its custody decisions. Overall, the legislation seeks to streamline the custody process and ensure that parenting time is clearly defined and prioritized in custody arrangements.

Statutes affected:
05/08/2025: 63-3-530
Latest Version: 63-3-530