House Sponsors: MADIGAN,MJ-DART. Short description: CHILD CUSTODY-VISIT-STEPPARENT Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Amends the custody provisions of the Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Provides that a child custody proceeding may be commenced by a stepparent of the child if the child is at least 12 years old, the stepparent was married to a parent of the child for at least 5 years before the parent's death or has been married to a parent who is disabled for at least 5 years, and certain other conditions are met. Provides that a court may grant reasonable visitation privileges to a stepparent if similar conditions are met. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1. Adds reference to: 750 ILCS 5/602 from Ch. 40, par. 602 Further amends the Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. In Section concerning the best interest of a child, provides that in the case of a custody proceeding in which a stepparent has standing to file a custody petition, it is presumed to be in the child's best interest that the natural parent have custody unless the presumption is rebutted by the stepparent. Adds immediate effective date for the bill. FISCAL NOTE (Dpt. Children and Family Services) DCFS could absorb minimal additional costs wihin current means. JUDICIAL NOTE, H-AM 1 No decrease nor increase in the need for the number of judges. STATE MANDATES FISCAL NOTE, H-AM 1 HB 3719 fails to create a State mandate. HOME RULE NOTE, AMENDED The bill fails to preempt home rule authority. FISCAL NOTE, AMENDED (Dpt. Children and Family Services) No change from previous fiscal note. HOME RULE NOTE, AMENDED No change from previous home rule note. Last action on Bill: SESSION SINE DIE Last action date: 99-01-12 Location: House Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 1 SENATE - 0 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status