TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING CHILD CUSTODY IN MATTERS WHERE A PARENT IS A FIRST RESPONDER.

HB 1704 (now Act 388) amends child custody law to require courts to specifically consider circumstances that maximize contact time between a child and a parent who is a first responder (e.g., police, firefighters, emergency medical personnel), while still prioritizing the child's best interests. The law mandates that courts weigh the unique scheduling demands of first responder parents when making custody decisions, ensuring their ability to maintain consistent involvement with their child. This change directly affects custody cases involving parents employed in emergency response roles. The bill became effective March 25, 2025, after passing both legislative chambers and receiving gubernatorial approval.