Joint custody matters; create rebuttable presumption in favor of.
What changed between versions
Added a rebuttable presumption that joint custody is in the child's best interest, which can only be overturned if parents agree on all issues, if the other parent has issues like substance abuse, if evidence supports it, if one parent is a registered sex offender, or other relevant factors.
Established a new effective date of July 1, 2026, for the joint custody presumption to apply to initial temporary and final orders, while explicitly stating it does not apply to modifying existing orders.
Modified the definition of 'joint physical custody' to require that parenting time be awarded as set forth in the new joint custody subsection.
Added specific eligibility criteria for rebutting the joint custody presumption, including situations where one parent is a registered sex offender or in the custody of the Department of Corrections.