LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Parents, attorneys and victim advocates are squaring off over the newest effort to overhaul Nebraska's shared-parenting laws.
A bill reviewed Thursday by the Judiciary Committee would encourage judges to "maximize" the time each parent gets with children if they can't agree on a parenting plan. Judges could determine the exact split, but neither parent could have less than 35 percent.
Sen. Laura Ebke of Crete says her bill seeks to reduce the number of children who don't have regular contact with their fathers. Ebke says it's a critical public health issue that contributes to juvenile incarceration, truancy and crime.
Some family-law attorneys say the 35 percent guarantee removes any incentive for parents to compromise when arguing for access to their children. Advocates for domestic violence victims also oppose the measure.
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