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Bill115th CongressFiled Jul 24, 2017Families
H.Con.Res. 72

Expressing the sense of Congress that child safety is the first priority of custody and visitation adjudications, and that State courts should improve adjudications of custody where family violence is alleged.

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What it doesSummary passed house amended (Sep 25, 2018)

Expresses the sense of Congress that:

  • child safety is the first priority of custody and parenting adjudications, and courts should resolve safety risks and claims of family violence before assessing other best interest factors;
  • all evidence admitted in custody and parenting adjudications should be subject to evidentiary admissibility standards;
  • evidence from court-affiliated or appointed fee-paid professionals regarding adult or child abuse allegations in custody cases should be considered only when the professional possesses documented expertise and experience in the relevant types of abuse, trauma, and the behaviors of victims and perpetrators;
  • states should define required standards of expertise and experience for appointed fee-paid professionals who provide evidence to the court on behaviors of abuse victims and perpetrators, specify requirements for the contents of such professional reports, and require courts to find that any appointed professionals meet those standards;
  • states should consider models under which court-appointed professionals are paid directly by the courts, with potential reimbursement by the parties after due consideration of the parties' financial circumstances; and
  • Congress should schedule hearings on family courts' practices with regard to children's safety and civil rights.

What just happenedSep 26, 2018

Received in the Senate.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Meehan, Patrick [R-PA-7](R-PA)Sponsor
86 cosponsors53 D33 R
Read on Congress.gov
86cosponsors1committees10actions8subjects
  1. Sep 26, 2018IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate.

  2. Sep 25, 2018FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  3. Sep 25, 2018FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H8844-8845)

  4. Sep 25, 2018Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H8844-8845)

  5. Sep 25, 2018FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 72.

  6. Sep 25, 2018FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8844-8847)

  7. Sep 25, 2018FloorH30300

    Mr. Rutherford moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

  8. Jul 24, 2017IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

    Judiciary Committee
  9. Jul 24, 2017IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  10. Jul 24, 2017IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed House amendedSep 25, 201836

Expresses the sense of Congress that:

  • child safety is the first priority of custody and parenting adjudications, and courts should resolve safety risks and claims of family violence before assessing other best interest factors;
  • all evidence admitted in custody and parenting adjudications should be subject to evidentiary admissibility standards;
  • evidence from court-affiliated or appointed fee-paid professionals regarding adult or child abuse allegations in custody cases should be considered only when the professional possesses documented expertise and experience in the relevant types of abuse, trauma, and the behaviors of victims and perpetrators;
  • states should define required standards of expertise and experience for appointed fee-paid professionals who provide evidence to the court on behaviors of abuse victims and perpetrators, specify requirements for the contents of such professional reports, and require courts to find that any appointed professionals meet those standards;
  • states should consider models under which court-appointed professionals are paid directly by the courts, with potential reimbursement by the parties after due consideration of the parties' financial circumstances; and
  • Congress should schedule hearings on family courts' practices with regard to children's safety and civil rights.
Introduced in HouseJul 24, 2017

Expresses the sense of Congress that:

  • child safety is the first priority of custody and parenting adjudications, and courts should resolve safety risks and claims of family violence before assessing other best interest factors;
  • quasi-scientific evidence should be admitted by courts only when it meets admissibility standards for scientific evidence;
  • evidence from court-affiliated or appointed fee-paid professionals regarding adult or child abuse allegations in custody cases should be considered only when the professional possesses documented expertise and experience in the relevant types of abuse, trauma, and the behaviors of victims and perpetrators;
  • states should define required standards of expertise and experience for appointed fee-paid professionals who provide evidence to the court on behaviors of abuse victims and perpetrators, specify requirements for the contents of such professional reports, and require courts to find that any appointed professionals meet those standards;
  • states should consider models under which court-appointed professionals are paid directly by the courts, with potential reimbursement by the parties after due consideration of the parties' financial circumstances; and
  • Congress should schedule hearings on family courts' practices with regard to children's safety and civil rights.
Expressing the sense of Congress that child safety is the first priority of custody and vi… — Informed