Child custody; defining term. Effective date.

SB 163 amends Oklahoma's child custody law to clarify requirements for joint custody arrangements. It requires parents seeking joint custody to submit detailed written plans covering living arrangements, child support, medical care, school placement, and visitation, accompanied by signed affidavits agreeing to the plan. The bill also adds a key provision creating a legal presumption that joint custody with a parent who committed child abuse, domestic violence, or coercive control is harmful to the child, shifting the burden to prove it's safe. This directly affects parents involved in custody disputes, especially in cases involving abuse allegations. The court must approve all joint custody plans based on the child's best interests, with modifications requiring court approval.