2004 House Bill 5471 / Public Act 506

Require parenting plan before divorce

Introduced in the House

Feb. 5, 2004

Introduced by Rep. John Moolenaar (R-98)

To require that before a divorce is granted a married couple with children must have an enforceable parenting plan in place which covers custody arrangements, and assigns decision-making authority regarding the children. The bill is part of a legislative package comprised of House Bills 5467 to 5474. Senate Bills 959 to 966 are the same bills.

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary

June 15, 2004

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-3) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

June 23, 2004

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance of the bill as previously described.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. James Koetje (R-86)

To clarify a technical requirement in the bill related to the distribution of the parenting time plan.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 108 to 0 (details)

Received in the Senate

June 24, 2004

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary

Sept. 23, 2004

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Sept. 28, 2004

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance of the bill as previously described.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Sept. 29, 2004

Passed in the Senate 26 to 9 (details)

To require that before a divorce is granted a married couple with children must have an enforceable parenting plan in place which covers custody arrangements, and assigns decision-making authority regarding the children. The bill is part of a legislative package comprised of House Bills 5467 to 5474 and Senate Bills 959 to 966.

Received in the House

Sept. 29, 2004

Dec. 9, 2004

Amendment offered by Rep. Joanne Voorhees (R-77)

To link the bill to legislation authorizing a $50 income tax credit and related measures for prospective newlyweds who take pre-marriage training.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 105 to 0 (details)

To concur with the Senate-passed version of the bill, after linking it to legislation authorizing a $50 income tax credit and related measures for prospective newlyweds who take pre-marriage training.

Received in the Senate

Dec. 9, 2004

To concur with the House-passed version of the bill.

Passed in the Senate 26 to 9 (details)

Signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm

Dec. 29, 2004

But will not go into effect because the bill was "tie-barred" to House Bill 5467, meaning this bill cannot go into effect unless that one also becomes law. However, HB 5467 was vetoed.