Bill > SB0941

This bill, amending Michigan's Child Custody Act of 1970, mandates that courts must inform parents of joint custody and a presumption of equal or approximately equal parenting time when initiating paternity, custody, divorce with a minor child, or support actions. "Joint custody" is defined as shared decision-making authority regarding a child's important welfare decisions, and the bill establishes a presumption that equal or approximately equal parenting time is in the child's best interests, unless proven otherwise by clear and convincing evidence based on 12 specific best interest factors. The bill also clarifies that "parenting time" must be granted to promote a strong relationship with both parents, outlines specific circumstances where parenting time may be restricted (such as in cases of criminal sexual conduct), and details procedures for temporary and ex parte (one-sided) parenting time orders, including notice requirements and dispute resolution processes. Additionally, it addresses parenting time for service members on deployment, presuming that maintaining existing parenting time arrangements is in the child's best interest unless clear and convincing evidence shows otherwise.