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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's order 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.
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