Bill > H1323

This bill aims to increase parental involvement in childcare by requiring courts to consider the availability and capability of a non-custodial parent to provide childcare when issuing support orders for a child or children. Specifically, when a court orders financial support, it must now determine if the custodial parent needs childcare services and if the non-custodial parent is able and willing to provide some or all of that care. If the court finds the non-custodial parent is available, capable, and wants to provide childcare, the court's order must include provisions allowing them this right, though it does not grant them permission to enter the custodial parent's home for this purpose. Furthermore, any change in the non-custodial parent's ability to provide childcare will be considered a significant change in circumstances that could lead to a modification of existing court orders. These provisions apply to both divorce-related support orders (Chapter 208, Section 28) and support orders for children born outside of marriage (Chapter 209C, Section 9).