Bill > S03170

This bill, known as "Kyra's Law", makes several key changes: 1. It establishes that the safety of children is of paramount importance and must be a threshold consideration in custody and visitation decisions. The court must prioritize child safety when making these determinations. 2. It requires the court to hold a prompt evidentiary hearing when there are credible allegations of domestic violence, child abuse, or child neglect that pose a serious or imminent risk to the child's safety. The court can then impose temporary limitations or conditions on custody or visitation to protect the child. 3. It allows parties or the child's attorney to appeal the granting, denial, or terms of a temporary custody or visitation order issued after a prompt evidentiary hearing on safety concerns. 4. It directs the court to consider specific evidence and factors related to child safety, such as history of domestic violence, child abuse, or substance abuse by a party. 5. It prohibits the court from awarding joint custody in cases involving domestic violence, coercive control, child abuse, or neglect, unless rebutted. 6. It mandates comprehensive training for judges, referees, and hearing officers on domestic violence, child abuse, and child safety issues before presiding over custody cases involving such allegations.