Scroll to History Page
Scroll to Previous Versions Links List
Scroll to Full Text
Download This Bill in Microsoft Word format

Bill 3430

                    Current Status

Bill Number:                      3430
Type of Legislation:              General Bill GB
Introducing Body:                 House
Introduced Date:                  20010201
Primary Sponsor:                  Knotts
All Sponsors:                     Knotts and Rhoad
Drafted Document Number:          l:\council\bills\nbd\11207ac01.doc
Residing Body:                    House
Current Committee:                Judiciary Committee 25 HJ
Subject:                          Child custody or visitation, best 
                                  interests of child guiding principle, joint 
                                  custody encouraged; Courts, Family; Minors


                        History

Body    Date      Action Description                     Com     Leg Involved
______  ________  ______________________________________ _______ ____________
House   20010201  Introduced, read first time,           25 HJ
                  referred to Committee


              Versions of This Bill

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 20-7-1550 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IN PROCEEDINGS IN WHICH CHILD CUSTODY AND VISITATION ARE IN DISPUTE THERE IS A PRESUMPTION THAT JOINT CUSTODY IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILD; TO REQUIRE THE COURT TO ORDER JOINT CUSTODY ABSENT WRITTEN FINDINGS THAT A PARENT IS UNFIT OR GEOGRAPHICALLY REMOVED; AND TO REQUIRE THE COURT TO EQUALIZE AND PROMOTE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EACH PARENT TO BE INVOLVED IN ACTIVITIES IN THE CHILD'S LIFE IN AND OUT OF SCHOOL.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

    "Section 20-7-1550.    In an action in which child custody or visitation is in dispute, there is a presumption that joint custody is in the best interest of the child. Absent written findings of fact that a parent is unfit, based upon grounds for termination of parental rights provided for in Section 20-7-1572, or that a parent is geographically removed from the child, the court shall order joint custody with equal time to be spent with each parent. The court also must equalize and promote opportunities for each parent to be informed of and involved in activities in the child's life in and out of school."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

This web page was last updated on Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at 11:20 A.M.