2015 House Bill 4480 / 2016 Public Act 95

Don't disparage one parent for protecting child from other one

Introduced in the House

April 21, 2015

Introduced by Rep. Kurt Heise (R-20)

To establish that in determining the “best interest of child” in child custody dispute cases a court may not “consider negatively” actions taken by a parent in self defense or to protect a child from “the child's abusive parent”.

Referred to the Committee on Criminal Justice

June 9, 2015

Reported without amendment

Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.

Oct. 21, 2015

Amendment offered by Rep. Kurt Heise (R-20)

To establish that if signed into law the bill will go into effect 90 days later.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Substitute offered by Rep. Kurt Heise (R-20)

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

The substitute passed by voice vote

Oct. 22, 2015

Passed in the House 76 to 28 (details)

To establish that in determining the “best interest of child” in child custody and visitation cases a court may not “consider negatively” actions taken by a parent in self defense or to protect a child from “the child's abusive (other) parent”.

Received in the Senate

Oct. 27, 2015

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary

Feb. 4, 2016

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

April 14, 2016

Passed in the Senate 37 to 0 (details)

To establish that in determining the “best interest of child” in child custody and visitation cases a court may not “consider negatively” actions taken by a parent in self defense or to protect a child from “the child's abusive (other) parent”.

Received in the House

April 14, 2016

April 19, 2016

Passed in the House 79 to 27 (details)

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

May 3, 2016