1514-S AMH LAMB HUTC 61

SHB 1514 - H AMD 0031 FAILED 03/15/99

By Representative Lambert

     On page 3, beginning on line 15, after Aextended period,@ strike Athat is, one year or longer,@

     On page 3, line 17, after Aminor child.@ insert AIn determining whether the failure to exercise residential time for an extended period is sufficient to make adjustments to the parenting plan, the court may consider such factors as:

(a) whether the amount of residential time that the nonprimary  residential parent failed to exercise exceeds twenty-five percent of the total residential time awarded to the nonprimary residential parent;

(b) the age of the child;

(c) the effects that the failure to exercise residential time has had on the child;

(d) the nonprimary residential parent=s situation and external factors that may have contributed to the failure to exercise residential time;

(e) the specifics of the parenting plan; and

(f) any other factor the court finds relevant.@

EFFECT: (1) Lists factors the court may consider when determining whether to modify a parenting plan when the nonprimary residential parent fails to exercise residential time; and

(2) Removes the limitation on the court=s discretion in determining what an Aextended period@ means for the purpose of modifying a parenting plan when a parent has failed to exercise residential time.