Child custody reform bill reintroduced in Ohio House

By Ed Richter

A bill reforming how child custody will be determined and requiring equal parenting in child custody orders in legal separation, divorce, dissolution or annulment proceedings is being reintroduced by two Ohio lawmakers and faces ongoing opposition from critics.

State Rep. Rodney Creech, R-West Alexandria, and state Rep. Marilyn John, R-Richland County, discussed House Bill 14 — which they are co-sponsoring — during a Tuesday press conference.

Creech said the bill would “create an official state policy that ensures children have a continued and meaningful relationship with both parents and, to the greatest extent possible, that parents share equally in time and responsibility.”

The bill establishes that parents share time and responsibility equally, unless there is evidence that an equal arrangement would be detrimental to the child. If such evidence is presented, the courts can use their discretion to formulate a more appropriate arrangement.