The Evolution of Shared Parenting Laws
The shared parenting movement is accelerating rapidly. Since Kentucky passed the country’s first explicit equal shared parenting law in 2018, as a result of NPO’s efforts, other states passed similar laws that protect a child’s right to a full relationship with both parents when the parents are living separately. Each year, legislators in dozens of other states introduce equal shared parenting bills, and these bills are meeting with increasingly strong support. It has been a long journey to this point, though. There was a time when no state even permitted both separated parents to continue to make decisions for their children and the presumption was that children would have only one home and merely “visit” with their other parent.
To offer some historical perspective on the equal shared parenting and indicate its growing momentum, NPO offers this timeline of key milestones.
July 3, 1979
California Pioneers Joint Legal Custody
California enacts the nation's first statute permitting a presumption of joint legal custody (decision-making responsibility) in cases of divorce with children, paving the way for decades of nationwide family law modernization.
May 2000
1998
National Parents Organization Formed
In February 1998 National Parents Organization is formed in Massachusetts with the goal of reforming family law following divorce.
ALI Formally Adopts Child Responsibility Framework
The ALI membership formally adopts its recommendations on the "Allocation of Custodial and Decision-Making Responsibility for Children," sparking a nationwide debate over structural presumptions vs. individualized caretaking histories.
April 26, 2018
Kentucky Enacts Historic Equal Shared Parenting Law
Kentucky makes history by passing HB 528 with near-unanimous bipartisan support, creating the nation’s very first statutory, rebuttable presumption that equal shared parenting time (50/50) is natively in the best interest of the child. Led by NPO’s Matt Hale and a team of dedicated NPO volunteers, the bill created a presumption, rebuttable by a preponderance of the evidence, that joint custody and equally shared parenting time is in the best interest of the child.
NPO’s Matt Hale and Jon Park, Executive Director of Constituent Services for the Governor Matt Bevin administration, holding the Shared Parenting Day proclamation.
NPO’s Linda Reutzel (center) with Missouri State Representative Wallingford (left) and Swann (right), who championed the shared parenting bill.
April 8, 2026
Mississippi Establishes Joint Custody Presumption
In a massive victory for Southeastern families, Mississippi passes HB 1662, establishing a modern rebuttable presumption in favor of joint legal custody and fully equal parenting time.
April 8, 2021
Arkansas Joins the 50/50 Presumption Wave
Arkansas successfully enacts Act 604, dramatically transforming state domestic relations policy by establishing a firm rebuttable presumption in favor of joint physical custody for divorcing parents.
June 27, 2023
Florida Codifies Rebuttable 50/50 Presumption
Sweeping legal reforms are signed into law in Florida, establishing a clear statutory presumption that an equal split of residential parenting time is inherently healthier for children of separating parents.
1990
American Law Institute Launches Family Law Project
Recognizing the massive national shift in family dynamics, the American Law Institute (ALI) officially initiates its landmark Principles of the Law of Family Dissolution project to establish standardized guidelines for state courts.
May 9, 2012
The National Parents Organization Kentucky team following HB523’s passage. l-r Jason Griffith, Matt Hale, Alexandra Beckman, and Matt Hancock
April 26, 2019
Arizona Mandates "Maximizing" Parental Time
As a result of efforts by Arizona State Psychologist William Fabricius, Arizona enacts groundbreaking custody reform requiring family courts to adopt parenting plans that maximize both parents' respective parenting time and preserve shared legal decision-making.
First National Shared Parenting Day Established
To honor the legislative momentum toward equal parenting rights, April 26th is officially established as National Shared Parenting Day, celebrated annually across the country by families and advocates. Shared Parenting Day was imagined and championed by NPO’s Matt Hale.
March 30, 2022
West Virginia Enacts Equal Shared Parenting
West Virginia passes comprehensive overhauls to its domestic code, moving decisively away from rigid historical caretaking rules and instituting an explicit legal presumption of equal parenting time. NPO West Virginia and volunteer Cam Huffman led the charge on this victory.
July 6, 2023
Missouri Secures Shared Parenting Reforms
Missouri formalizes explicit statutory language declaring a legal presumption of equal parenting time, ensuring courts protect a child's right to frequent and continuous contact with both fit parents. The bill was signed into law after a nine year effort on the part of NPO’s Linda Reutzel and other advocates.
June 1, 2026
Louisiana Enacts a Presumption of Equal Physical Custody
Effective August 1, 2026, Louisiana's children are guaranteed a presumption of equal parenting time with each parent unless the court specifically finds that this is not feasible or not in the best interest of the children.