An act relating to parental rights and responsibilities

This bill establishes Vermont's public policy to encourage parents to share rights and responsibilities for raising their children after separation or divorce, unless there is a risk of harm to the child or a parent. It creates a rebuttable presumption that shared parental arrangements serve the child's best interests and requires courts to consider specific factors when making custody decisions, including each parent's ability to foster a positive relationship between the child and the other parent. The legislation also clarifies definitions of legal and physical responsibility, prohibits courts from favoring one parent based on gender or financial resources, and sets an effective date of July 1, 2023.