Bill > SB946

This bill modifies Missouri state law regarding divorce and legal separation proceedings, with key provisions that clarify and expand existing regulations. The bill ensures that pregnancy status cannot prevent a court from entering a judgment of dissolution of marriage or legal separation, which represents a significant change in how such cases are handled. The legislation requires detailed information in divorce and separation petitions, including residence details, marriage date, separation date, child information, and Social Security number details. It mandates that both parties submit comprehensive parenting plans within thirty days of filing, which must outline specific custody arrangements, decision-making responsibilities, and financial provisions for children. The bill abolishes previous legal defenses to divorce such as condonation and collusion, and establishes that court jurisdiction over children begins immediately upon petition filing. The law also specifies that merely having physical possession of a child does not create a custody preference, and requires detailed documentation about how parents will share responsibilities for education, healthcare, extracurricular activities, and child-related expenses. These provisions aim to create more transparent and comprehensive processes for managing divorce and legal separation cases, with a focus on the best interests of any children involved.

Health and Social Services

https://www.senate.mo.gov/26info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=272