Bill > SB2742

This bill establishes a legal presumption in Mississippi that joint custody with equal parenting time is in the best interest of a child in all custody matters, meaning courts should generally aim for both parents to share legal decision-making and physical time with the child equally. This presumption can be overcome if one parent can prove by a preponderance of the evidence (meaning it's more likely than not) that this arrangement is not in the child's best interest, though courts must document their reasons for deviating from this presumption unless both parents agree to a different arrangement. The bill also specifies that courts must consider the safety and well-being of everyone involved, and importantly, this presumption of equal parenting time does not apply if a domestic abuse protection order has been issued against a parent. Furthermore, the bill outlines how child support calculations will be adjusted to account for this equal parenting time, ensuring that the financial obligations reflect the shared responsibilities. This new law applies to all custody determinations, regardless of whether the parents were married, and will take effect on July 1, 2026.

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https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/SB/SB2742.xml