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Shared Parenting Law *Passed* by the Connecticut
Legislature in 2005
Shared parenting legislation, Public Act
05-258 became Connecticut
law on June 23, 2005. This is a great day for the children of divorced and never
married couples in Connecticut.
They will benefit tremendously from mediation of conflict, parenting plans,
and increased involvement by both parents.
That legislation has three
important objectives:
1. The best interests of the child are
redefined to include (but
not limited to) substantial involvement by both parents. The new definition
includes: (4)
the wishes of the child's parents as to custody; (5) the past and current
interaction and relationship of the child with each parent, …; (6)
the willingness and ability of each parent to facilitate and encourage such
continuing parent-child relationship between the child and the other parent
as is appropriate, including compliance with any court orders; (7) any
manipulation by or coercive behavior of the parents in an effort to involve
the child in the parents' dispute; (8) the ability of each parent to be
actively involved in the life of the child
2. A parental responsibility plan is required for most custody cases.
Specifically, the plan should include:
(1) A schedule of the
physical residence of the child during the year; (2) provisions allocating
decision-making authority to one or both parents regarding the child's
health, education and religious upbringing; (3) provisions for the
resolution of future disputes between the parents, including, where
appropriate, the involvement of a mental health professional or other
parties to assist the parents in reaching a developmentally appropriate
resolution to such disputes; (4) provisions for dealing with the parents'
failure to honor their responsibilities under the plan; (5) provisions for
dealing with the child's changing needs as the child grows and matures; and
(6) provisions for minimizing the child's exposure to harmful parental
conflict, encouraging the parents in appropriate circumstances to meet
their responsibilities through agreements, and protecting the best
interests of the child.
3. The legislation encourages conciliation of disputes, including “the involvement of a mental
health professional or other parties to assist the parents in reaching a
developmentally appropriate resolution to such disputes.”
Click here for the full text of the new law
Click here for a summary and analysis
prepared by the Office of Legislative Research (OLR)
The SPC gives
awards for actions leading to Connecticut’s
Shared Parenting Law, PA 05-258:
Thomas
Foley received a clock inscribed “Outstanding Citizen Award to Thomas
Foley who skillfully actualized his vision of a better world.” The
award recognizes his long hours as co-chair of the Commission on Divorce,
Custody and Children, and subsequent work to enact CDCC recommendations
into law. Click to see the award.
Anne
Dranginis, co-chair of the CDCC received an inscribed clock for her work
leading to PA 05-258.
Representative Themis Klarides
received an inscribed clock for her work as an Outstanding Legislator for
skillfully actualizing her vision of a better world. Click to see the award.
The SPC’s position on issues raised by the Governor’s
Commission on Custody:
1. Final Report from the Governor’s Commission, December
2002.
2. The SPC’s Comments on the Final Report of the
Governor’s Commission: Its not everything we would like, but it
goes a long way.
3. The SPC’s position on custody issues.Testimony delivered at 11/13/02 hearing.
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