Bill > HB256

This bill revises Ohio law regarding child custody for unwed parents by establishing a rebuttable presumption that an unmarried mother is the sole residential parent and legal custodian of a child until a court orders otherwise. The bill introduces a new framework where if a natural father establishes paternity through methods like a birth certificate, both parents are considered equal residential parents with equal rights to parenting time. If parents cannot agree on physical custody allocation, either parent can initiate a judicial proceeding to determine parental rights and responsibilities. The court will consider factors such as whether either parent failed to exercise or obstructed the other parent's rights. The bill also maintains existing provisions that prevent a parent convicted of rape or sexual battery from being a residential parent or legal custodian of a child conceived through such an act. Notably, the bill adds language to explicitly include fathers in certain provisions and provides more detailed guidance on how custody and parenting rights should be determined for unmarried parents.

Justice

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb256