Bill > A2241

Introduced Session

This bill provides for the protection of the custody and visitation rights of parents based on several factors, including, disability, age, health status, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, or ethnicity. New Jersey recognizes that both parents in a child custody dispute have a constitutionally recognized equal, fundamental right to the control and upbringing of a child. The courts make the determination on custody arrangements by applying various statutory factors, such as the interaction of the child with the child's parents and the stability of the home environment, with the best interests of the child as the primary concern. This bill provides that in any child custody proceeding, the disability, health status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, or ethnicity of one or both parents is not to be the sole factor in the court's decision concerning child custody. If the court considers any of these when deciding custody or parenting time for an otherwise fit parent, the court is required to provide detailed finding of facts and conclusions of law in support of the decision. The bill does not limit the court's discretion to consider all relevant and appropriate factors pertaining to the best interest of the child in making an award for custody. The bill defines disability as having the same meaning set forth in section 3 of the "Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008," 42 U.S.C. s.12102.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Yvonne Lopez (D)*,  Lisa Swain (D)*,  Anthony Verrelli (D)*,  Robert Karabinchak (D),  Carol Murphy (D), 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document