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TO AMEND CHAPTER 3, TITLE 20 OF THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 20-3-165, RELATING TO CONTACT BETWEEN A CHILD AND EACH PARENT, SO AS TO PROMOTE CONTACT INFORMATION AND VIRTUAL PARENT-TIME ACCESS WITH A CHILD WHEN IT IS IN THE CHILD'S BEST INTERESTS.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Chapter 3, Title 20 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 20-3-165. (A) Absent a showing by a preponderance of evidence of real harm or substantiated potential harm to the child:
(1) it is in the child's best interests to have frequent, meaningful, and continuing access to each parent;
(2) each parent is entitled to and responsible for frequent, meaningful, and continuing access with his child consistent with the child's best interests; and
(3) it is in the best interests of the child to have both parents actively involved in parenting the child.
(B) Each parent must:
(1) provide the other with his current address and telephone number, electronic mail address, and other virtual parent-time access information within twenty-four hours of any change. For purposes of this section, 'virtual parent-time' is defined as parent-time facilitated by tools such as telephone, electronic mail, instant messaging, video conferencing, and other wired or wireless technologies over the Internet or other communication media to supplement in-person visits between a noncustodial parent and a child or between a child and the custodial parent when the child is staying with the noncustodial parent. Virtual parent-time is designed to supplement, rather than replace, in-person parent-time;
(2) permit and encourage, during reasonable hours and for reasonable duration, reasonable and communications with the child in the form of telephone, electronic mail, and virtual parent-time if the equipment is reasonably available. If the parties cannot agree on whether the equipment is reasonably available, the court shall decide whether the equipment for virtual parent-time is reasonably available, taking into consideration:
(a) the best interests of the child;
(b) each parent's ability to handle any additional expenses for virtual parent-time; and
(c) any other factors the court considers material."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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