SB 609

ON MARCH 2, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 609, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 rewrites the bill to, instead, require the court to consider the extent to which a parenting schedule provides each parent a frequent and meaningful opportunity to participate in the child's life, consistent with the child's best interest, i n addition to the other relevant factors, when making a child custody determination. This amendment also changes the effective date from effective upon becoming a law to July 1, 2026. ON MARCH 30, 2026, THE HOUSE SUBSTITUTED SENATE BILL 609, ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1, AND PASSED SENATE BILL 609, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 makes the following revisions:  Requires a court, when making a child custody determination, to consider all relevant factors with the best interest of the child always being paramount.  Removes that such meaningful opportunities must be frequent. ON APRIL 2, 2026, THE SENATE CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENT #1.