Senate Sponsors: GEO-KARIS-DUDYCZ. House Sponsors: MCAULIFFE Short description: PARENTAGE-RESERVE CUSTODY Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Amends the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984. Provides that a judgment entered under the Act shall contain, or explicitly reserve, provisions concerning custody or guardianship and visitation. Provides that a court may grant leave to a party having custody of a minor child to remove the child from Illinois under the standards contained in the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Provides that the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act shall apply to matters concerning the removal of a child from Illinois. Provides that a parent without custody of a child is entitled to reasonable visitation unless the court finds that visitation would seriously endanger the child's physical, mental, moral, or emotional health. Makes other changes. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 3. Provides that, if a judgment of parentage contains provisions reserving custody, custody shall be presumed to be with the mother (unless specified conditions exist). Deletes language providing that a party may not remove a child from the State without first obtaining leave of court to do so, that the court may grant leave to any party having custody of any minor child to remove the child from Illinois under the standards contained in the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, and that the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act applies to matters concerning the removal of a child from Illinois. Adds language providing that, if a visitation order has been entered, the parent having custody of a minor child shall give the other parent not less than 90 days' notice before relocating the child to a place outside of Illinois for 60 days or more. Permits the other parent to object to the relocation, and provides that the party seeking to relocate must then obtain leave of court before relocating. Provides that the new provisions do not preclude a parent from filing a petition to relocate without following the procedures in the new provisions. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 4. Adds reference to: 750 ILCS 5/607 from Ch. 40, par. 607 Amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Replaces existing language regarding visitation rights of grandparents with language providing that a court may grant visitation rights to the grandparents of a minor unless it is shown that visitation would be detrimental to the best interests and welfare of the minor. Provides that the court shall not grant visitation privileges to grandparents who otherwise might have visitation privileges if the minor has been adopted after the death of both his or her legal parents (except where the adoption is by a close relative). Provides that, if the adoption is by a close relative, the court shall not grant visitation privileges to the grandparents unless it is proven that the grandparents were unreasonably denied visitation. Provides that an order denying visitation rights to grandparents of the minor shall be in writing and shall state the reasons for denial, and that an order denying visitation rights is a final order for purposes of appeal. Contains other provisions regarding the circumstances under which a petition for visitation privileges may be brought by the grandparents. Provides that, when one parent is deceased, the surviving parent shall not interfere with the visitation rights of the grandparents. Makes other changes. Last action on Bill: SESSION SINE DIE Last action date: 01-01-09 Location: Senate Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 2 SENATE - 0 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status