HB 1704 -- Child Custody

Sponsor:  Stevenson

This bill makes various changes to the laws regarding child
custody.  In its major provisions, the bill:

(1)  Specifies that joint custody cannot be denied based on one
party's opposition to the arrangement;

(2)  Specifies that a court must have clear, cogent, and
convincing evidence that a parent is guilty of a felony sex
offense or a felony offense against a person when a child is the
victim in order to deny the award of custody or visitation to
that parent;

(3)  Requires the court to have clear, cogent, and convincing
evidence to find that continued contact with a parent is not in
the best interests of the child;

(4)  Requires timely filing of motions to intervene in child
custody cases;

(5)  Requires the court to find by clear, cogent, and convincing
evidence that visitation with a parent would endanger the child's
physical health or endanger his or her emotional development;

(6)  Allows a third-party guardianship to be modified or
terminated if the court finds the parent to be fit, suitable, and
able to assume custody and if it is in the best interests of the
child that the guardianship be terminated; and

(7)  Specifies that only an original party can file a motion to
modify a custody decree.

Missouri House of Representatives
92nd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 23, 2004 at 11:16 am