The bill amends existing child custody laws in Wyoming to establish a presumption in favor of shared child custody arrangements. It specifies that unless an agreement between the parties states otherwise, the court shall issue an order for shared custody when determining the best interests of the child. The bill outlines specific circumstances under which a different custody arrangement may be considered, including written agreements, instances of domestic violence, child abuse, or when the parties live more than 300 miles apart. Additionally, it introduces definitions for "joint legal custody," "joint physical custody," and "shared custody."

The bill also modifies the language regarding how custody is determined, removing previous provisions that allowed for discretion in favoring or disfavoring any form of custody. Instead, it emphasizes that custody arrangements must be crafted to promote the best interests of the children. The new provisions will apply to all custody actions filed on or after July 1, 2025, with the act itself taking effect on that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 20-2-201