Proposed parenting plans in certain actions affecting the family

The bill requires parties who are directed to participate in an initial mediation session to submit their proposed parenting plans to family court services or the assigned mediator at least 10 days before the initial mediation session. The parties may, but are not required to, exchange proposed parenting plans before the initial mediation session. Proposed parenting plans may be submitted and exchanged electronically. The bill maintains the requirement for the parties to each file a parenting plan with the court if no agreement is reached in mediation or if mediation was waived.

Under current law, a parenting plan must provide certain information, including what legal custody or physical placement the parent is seeking, where the parent lives currently and intends to live during the next two years, where the parent works and the hours of employment, who will provide necessary child care and who will pay for it, a proposed summer and holiday placement schedule, whether and how the child may contact the other parent, what child support, family support, maintenance, or other income transfer there will be, and how the child's medical expenses will be paid. The bill removes any requirement to include information about what child support, family support, maintenance, or other income transfer there will be, or how the child's medical expenses will be paid, but adds a requirement that proposed parenting plans include, with specific detail, what proposed variable costs are expected to be incurred by or on behalf of the child.