Bill > AB1978

This bill, known as the California Equal Shared Parenting Act, proposes to add a new section to the Family Code that would establish a rebuttable presumption that equal parenting time is in the best interest of a child in custody proceedings filed on or after January 1, 2027, provided both parents are deemed fit, willing, and able to parent, and both live within 25 miles of the child's primary school. The bill defines "equal parenting time" as a substantially equal division of custodial overnights annually, with each parent receiving at least 45% of overnights, allowing for adjustments for school, holidays, and special circumstances. This presumption can only be overcome with clear and convincing evidence that equal parenting time would be detrimental to the child, such as a history of domestic violence, child abuse, neglect, substance abuse, mental illness impairing parental capacity, refusal to support the child's relationship with the other parent, or significant logistical barriers. Any court decision to deny equal parenting time must be in writing, detailing the evidence and reasons for the denial.

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1978