The Senate today approved legislation to increase protections for children during child custody disputes, according to Senator Dan Laughlin, who supported the measure.
The legislation is intended to ensure that in all cases and controversies before the courts involving questions of child custody, the health, safety and welfare of the child are protected and regarded as issues of paramount importance.
Senate Bill 78 is named after Kayden Mancuso, a 7-year-old Bucks County resident murdered by her biological father in 2018 during a visit ordered by the court, despite evidence of his abusive and violent behavior.
The bill imposes safety conditions and restrictions on visitation in cases of abuse, modifies the factors that a judge must consider in making a custody award to put the focus on the health and safety of the child, and recommends better training of all court personnel involved in custody cases.
Senate Bill 78 will be sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Contact: Matt Azeles mazeles@pasen.gov