CPF - The Fatherhood coalition and other father's rights organizations in Worcester and Springfield have filed a ballot law petition that mandates mediation between divorcing and separated parents involved in child custody disputes. If parents can't agree, the proposed law establishes a minimum amount of time for children to reside with each parent.
The ballot law petition is based on existing law in Maine and the District of Columbia.
Following the Maine statute, the proposed law requires that "prior to a contested hearing," divorcing and separated parents with minor children must make a "good faith" effort to mediate their differences. If parents cannot agree on a parenting plan, the ballot law establishes equal legal, decision-making rights for both parents, and implements a successful District of Columbia baseline of shared physical custody. A child would reside with each parent no less than forty percent of the time, unless a court finds that otherwise there would be "physical injury to the child."
Father's and children's rights activists must place signature gathering for the ballot initiative at the top of their priority list. For information on how you can help, call Pat Flynn at 978-977-0652 or any of the CPF chapters and affiliates.