HCS SB 722 -- CHILD RELOCATION AND VISITATION

SPONSOR: Caskey (Smith)

COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Civil and Administrative Law by a vote of 13 to 0 with 2 present.

This substitute revises the law restricting how and when a custodial parent may move without the consent of the non-custodial parent. Currently, the custodial parent must receive consent from the non-custodial parent or from the court before moving with the children. The substitute allows a custodial parent to move up to 30 miles within the state without consent. The substitute also repeals several notice provisions specifying the amount of time required and the type of information that must be provided in the notice.

The substitute also expands the availability of the family access motion to include persons whose custody or visitation rights were established by any type of court order. Under current law, such motions are available only to a person whose custody or visitation rights were established in a judgment of dissolution or legal separation.

FISCAL NOTE: No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS: Supporters say that this bill simply allows access to the court system in an efficient and economical fashion when someone violates the court's order regarding visitation or custody.

Testifying for the bill was Senator Caskey.

OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Richard Smreker, Legislative Analyst