hb1421i-Introduced Bill Text
SECOND REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE BILL NO. 1421
90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES DOUGHERTY (Sponsor), HOLLINGSWORTH, GRIESHEIMER,
BARRY AND THOMPSON (72).
Read 1st time January 11, 2000, and 1000 copies ordered printed.
ANNE C. WALKER, Chief Clerk
3583L.01I
AN ACT
To repeal section 452.377, RSMo Supp. 1999, relating to relocation, and to enact in lieu thereof one new section relating
to the same subject.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Section 452.377, RSMo Supp. 1999, is repealed and one new section enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as
section 452.377, to read as follows:
452.377. 1. For purposes of this section and section 452.375, "relocate" or "relocation" means a change in the [principal]
residence of a child for a period of ninety days or more, but does not include a temporary absence from the [principal]
residence.
2. Notice of a proposed relocation of the residence of the child, or any party entitled to custody or visitation of the child,
shall be given in writing by certified mail, return receipt requested, to any party with custody or visitation rights. Absent
exigent circumstances as determined by a court with jurisdiction, written notice shall be provided at least sixty days in
advance of the proposed relocation. The notice of the proposed relocation shall include the following information:
(1) The intended new residence, including the specific address and mailing address, if known, and if not known, the city;
(2) The home telephone number of the new residence, if known;
(3) The date of the intended move or proposed relocation;
(4) A [brief] detailed statement of the specific reasons for the proposed relocation of a child, if applicable, which
demonstrate that the relocation is in the best interest of the child; and
(5) A proposal for a revised schedule of custody or visitation with the child, if applicable, which demonstrates an
adequate basis for preserving and fostering the other parent's relationship with the child if relocation is permitted.
3. A party required to give notice of a proposed relocation pursuant to subsection 2 of this section has a continuing duty
to provide a change in or addition to the information required by this section as soon as such information becomes known.
4. In exceptional circumstances, including cases with credible evidence of domestic violence, where the court makes a
finding that the health or safety of any adult or child would be unreasonably placed at risk by the disclosure of the
required identifying information concerning a proposed relocation of the child, the court may order that:
(1) The specific residence address and telephone number of the child, parent or person, and other identifying information
shall not be disclosed in the pleadings, notice, other documents filed in the proceeding or the final order except for an in
camera disclosure;
(2) The notice requirements provided by this section shall be waived to the extent necessary to protect the health or safety
of a child or any adult; or
(3) Any other remedial action the court considers necessary to facilitate the legitimate needs of the parties and the best
interest of the child.
5. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4 of this section, the court shall consider a failure to provide notice of a
proposed relocation of a child or an adult, as provided for in subsection 2 of this section as:
(1) A factor in determining whether custody and visitation should be modified;
(2) A basis for ordering the return of the child if the relocation occurs without notice; and
(3) Sufficient cause to order the party seeking to relocate the child to pay reasonable expenses and attorneys fees incurred
by the party objecting to the relocation.
6. If the parties agree to a revised schedule of custody and visitation for the child, which includes a parenting plan, they
may submit the terms of such agreement to the court with a written affidavit signed by all parties with custody or
visitation assenting to the terms of the agreement, and the court may order the revised parenting plan and applicable
visitation schedule without a hearing.
7. The residence of the child may be relocated [sixty] forty-five days after providing notice, as required by this section,
unless a parent files a motion seeking an order to prevent the relocation within thirty days after receipt of such notice.
Such motion shall be accompanied by [an] a detailed affidavit setting forth the specific factual basis supporting a
prohibition of the relocation and a detailed statement of the specific reasons why the proposed relocation would not
be in the best interest of the child. The person seeking relocation shall file a response to the motion within fourteen
days, unless extended by the court for good cause, and include a counter-affidavit setting forth the [facts in support of the
relocation as well as a proposed revised parenting plan for the child] specific reasons for the proposed relocation of the
child, if applicable, which demonstrate that the relocation is in the best interest of the child. The counter-affidavit
shall also include a proposed revised parenting plan for the child which demonstrates an adequate basis for
preserving and fostering the other parent's relationship with the child if relocation is permitted.
8. If relocation of the child is proposed, a third party entitled by court order to legal custody of or visitation with a child
and who is not a parent may file a cause of action to obtain a revised schedule of legal custody or visitation, but shall not
prevent a relocation.
9. The party seeking to relocate shall have the burden of proving that the proposed relocation is made in good faith and is
in the best interest of the child.
10. If relocation is permitted:
(1) The court shall order contact with the nonrelocating party including custody or visitation and telephone access
sufficient to assure that the child has frequent, continuing and meaningful contact with the nonrelocating party unless the
child's best interest warrants otherwise; and
(2) The court shall specify how the transportation costs will be allocated between the parties and adjust the child support,
as appropriate, considering the costs of transportation.
11. After August 28, 1998, every court order establishing or modifying custody or visitation shall include the following
language: "Absent exigent circumstances as determined by a court with jurisdiction, you, as a party to this action, are
ordered to notify, in writing by certified mail, return receipt requested, and at least sixty days prior to the proposed
relocation, each party to this action of any proposed relocation of the principal residence of the child, including the
following information:
(1) The intended new residence, including the specific address and mailing address, if known, and if not known, the city;
(2) The home telephone number of the new residence, if known;
(3) The date of the intended move or proposed relocation;
(4) A [brief] detailed statement of the specific reasons for the proposed relocation of the child which demonstrate that
the relocation is in the best interest of the child; and
(5) A proposal for a revised schedule of custody or visitation with the child which demonstrates an adequate basis for
preserving and fostering the other parent's relationship with the child if relocation is permitted.
Your obligation to provide this information to each party continues as long as you or any other party by virtue of this
order is entitled to custody of a child covered by this order. Your failure to obey the order of this court regarding the
proposed relocation may result in further litigation to enforce such order, including contempt of court. In addition, your
failure to notify a party of a relocation of the child may be considered in a proceeding to modify custody or visitation with
the child. Reasonable costs and attorney fees may be assessed against you if you fail to give the required notice.".
12. Violation of the provisions of this section or a court order [under] pursuant to this section may be deemed a change
of circumstance [under] pursuant to section 452.410, allowing the court to modify the prior custody decree. In addition,
the court may utilize any and all powers relating to contempt conferred on it by law or rule of the Missouri supreme court.
13. Any party who objects in good faith to the relocation of a child's [principal] residence shall not be ordered to pay the
costs and attorney's fees of the party seeking to relocate.
Any party who objects in bad faith to the relocation of a child's residence shall be ordered to pay the costs and
attorney fees of the party seeking to relocate.
14. The court shall issue an order in all relocation cases within sixty days of the final submission of the case to the
court. For purposes of this subsection, the case shall be deemed to be finally submitted at the conclusion of the
presentation of evidence by both parties to the cause of action.
Missouri House of Representatives