Expressing the sense of Congress that child safety is the first priority of custody and visitation adjudications, and that State courts should improve adjudications of custody where family violence is alleged.

Bill: 115-hconres-72
Sponsor: Rep. Meehan, Patrick [R-PA-7]
Introduced: 2017-07-24 in the House
Policy area: Families
Subjects: Child safety and welfare
Crimes against children
Domestic violence and child abuse
Evidence and witnesses
Judicial procedure and administration
Legal fees and court costs
Separation, divorce, custody, support
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-07-24
text: 
Expresses the sense of Congress that:
 
 
child safety is the first priority of custody and parenting adjudications, and courts should resolve safety risks and claims of family violence before assessing other best interest factors; 
 
quasi-scientific evidence should be admitted by courts only when it meets admissibility standards for scientific evidence; 
 
evidence from court-affiliated or appointed fee-paid professionals regarding adult or child abuse allegations in custody cases should be considered only when the professional possesses documented expertise and experience in the relevant types of abuse, trauma, and the behaviors of victims and perpetrators; 
 
states should define required standards of expertise and experience for appointed fee-paid professionals who provide evidence to the court on behaviors of abuse victims and perpetrators, specify requirements for the contents of such professional reports, and require courts to find that any appointed professionals meet those standards; 
 
states should consider models under which court-appointed professionals are paid directly by the courts, with potential reimbursement by the parties after due consideration of the parties' financial circumstances; and 
 
Congress should schedule hearings on family courts' practices with regard to children's safety and civil rights. 


action_date: 2018-09-25
text: 
Expresses the sense of Congress that:
 
 
child safety is the first priority of custody and parenting adjudications, and courts should resolve safety risks and claims of family violence before assessing other best interest factors; 
 
all evidence admitted in custody and parenting adjudications should be subject to evidentiary admissibility standards;
 
evidence from court-affiliated or appointed fee-paid professionals regarding adult or child abuse allegations in custody cases should be considered only when the professional possesses documented expertise and experience in the relevant types of abuse, trauma, and the behaviors of victims and perpetrators; 
 
states should define required standards of expertise and experience for appointed fee-paid professionals who provide evidence to the court on behaviors of abuse victims and perpetrators, specify requirements for the contents of such professional reports, and require courts to find that any appointed professionals meet those standards; 
 
states should consider models under which court-appointed professionals are paid directly by the courts, with potential reimbursement by the parties after due consideration of the parties' financial circumstances; and 
 
Congress should schedule hearings on family courts' practices with regard to children's safety and civil rights. 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-09-26
text: Received in the Senate.
action_date: 2018-09-25
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2018-09-25
text: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H8844-8845)
action_date: 2018-09-25
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H8844-8845)
action_date: 2018-09-25
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 72.
action_date: 2018-09-25
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8844-8847)
action_date: 2018-09-25
text: Mr. Rutherford moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.
action_date: 2017-07-24
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-07-24
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-07-24
text: Introduced in House