Senate committee adopts large overhaul amendment to family law bill, advances SB 2383 as amended
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Summary
Senate Bill 2383, a contested family law bill, advanced from the Judiciary Committee after Senator Cory moved a multi-page amendment that reworked shared-parenting provisions, removed duplicative text, and added parental fitness language. The amended bill passed the committee on a 5–2 roll call.
Senate Bill 2383, addressing aspects of parental responsibility and related family law provisions, was amended substantially in committee and advanced on a divided vote.
Senator Cory moved a lengthy amendment that removed several sections duplicated elsewhere in statute, added language clarifying that a parent may be determined unfit to care for a child and adjusted residency/time thresholds in certain provisions. Senator Cory described the amendment as the product of consultations with a constituent and Legislative Council staff to produce language stakeholders could live with.
During debate senators debated preserving a presumption of parental fitness versus requiring a court determination of unfitness in particular circumstances. Senator Bridal registered a “No” on the final motion. Senator Muriel spoke in opposition generally to shared-parenting bills while some senators supported the amendment as a cleaner approach that keeps the court involved and preserves safeguards for children.
The committee adopted the amendment and then voted to recommend a due pass on Senate Bill 2383 as amended. The roll call recorded five ayes and two nays: Senator Castaneda (Aye), Senator Luke (Yes), Senator Bridal (No), Senator Paulson (Aye), Senator Brownberger (No), Senator Cory (Aye), Chair Larson (Yes). Senator Cory will carry the amended bill.