Current Status Bill Number:4944 Type of Legislation:General Bill GB Introducing Body:House Introduced Date:19960411 Primary Sponsor:Neilson All Sponsors:Neilson, G. Brown, Littlejohn, Whatley, J. Hines, Lloyd, Loftis, L. Whipper, Lanford, Rice, Cain and Byrd Drafted Document Number:pfm\9240ac.96 Residing Body:House Current Committee:Judiciary Committee 25 HJ Subject:Child custody and visitation, when parents moves
Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved
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House 19960411 Introduced, read first time, 25 HJ
referred to Committee
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TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 20-7-425 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE FAMILY COURT TO CONSIDER THE DISTANCE BETWEEN RESIDENCES OF CUSTODIAL AND NONCUSTODIAL PARENTS, TO REQUIRE THE CUSTODIAL PARENT TO PAY THE CHILD'S TRAVEL EXPENSES TO THE NONCUSTODIAL PARENT'S RESIDENCE IF THE CUSTODIAL PARENT MOVES MORE THAN FIFTY MILES AWAY, AND TO CONSIDER EXTENDING THE LENGTH OF VISITATION IF THE TRAVEL TIME REDUCES THE AMOUNT OF VISITATION TIME.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 20-7-425. In ordering visitation or modifying an order for visitation, the court shall consider the distance between the residences of custodial and noncustodial parents. When the custodial parent relocates to a residence more than fifty miles from the residence of the noncustodial parent, the custodial parent must pay the travel expenses of the child to visit the noncustodial parent unless there is sufficient reason not to require the custodial parent to bear these expenses. Additionally, the court must take into consideration whether travel to and from the noncustodial parent's residence reduces the amount of visitation time such that the length or frequency of visitation should be extended."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.