Bill > HB1041

This bill aims to expedite child custody and visitation modification hearings and strengthen enforcement of court-ordered parenting time. It establishes a rebuttable presumption that frequent and meaningful contact with both parents is in a child's best interest, unless there's evidence of abuse, neglect, or other harm. The bill defines "visitation denial" as a custodial parent's willful failure to allow court-ordered visitation without a valid reason, or "just cause," such as an emergency. If visitation denial is proven, courts must order make-up parenting time, consider modifying custody or parenting time in favor of the parent who was denied access, and can impose sanctions like attorney fees or fines. Furthermore, repeated or severe visitation denial can create a presumption that changing custody to the aggrieved parent is in the child's best interest. The bill also allows for the temporary suspension or reduction of child support obligations for up to six months if a custodial parent willfully denies visitation, though this does not negate the obligation to provide for the child's basic needs. These provisions will apply to custody and child support orders issued or modified on or after July 1, 2026.

Justice

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72371