§1653. Parental rights and responsibilities
1. Legislative findings and purpose. The Legislature makes the following findings concerning relationships among family members in determining what is in the best interest of children.
A. The Legislature finds and declares as public policy that encouraging mediated resolutions of disputes between parents is in the best interest of minor children. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
B. The Legislature finds that domestic abuse is a serious crime against the individual and society, producing an unhealthy and dangerous family environment, resulting in a pattern of escalating abuse, including violence, that frequently culminates in intrafamily homicide and creating an atmosphere that is not conducive to healthy childhood development. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
C. The Legislature finds and declares that, except when a court determines that the best interest of a child would not be served, it is the public policy of this State to assure minor children of frequent and continuing contact with both parents after the parents have separated or dissolved their marriage and to encourage parents to share the rights and responsibilities of child rearing in order to effect this policy. [PL 2009, c. 593, §1 (AMD).]
[PL 2009, c. 593, §1 (AMD).]
2. Parental rights and responsibilities; order. This subsection governs parental rights and responsibilities and court orders for parental rights and responsibilities.
A. When the parents have agreed to an award of shared parental rights and responsibilities or so agree in open court, the court shall make that award unless there is substantial evidence that it should not be ordered. The court shall state in its decision the reasons for not ordering a shared parental rights and responsibilities award agreed to by the parents. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
B. The court may award reasonable rights of contact with a minor child to a 3rd person. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
C. The court may award parental rights and responsibilities with respect to the child to a 3rd person, a suitable society or institution for the care and protection of children or the department, upon a finding that awarding parental rights and responsibilities to either or both parents will place the child in jeopardy as defined in Title 22, section 4002, subsection 6. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
D. The order of the court awarding parental rights and responsibilities must include the following:
(1) Allocated parental rights and responsibilities, shared parental rights and responsibilities or sole parental rights and responsibilities, according to the best interest of the child as provided in subsection 3. An award of shared parental rights and responsibilities may include either an allocation of the child's primary residential care to one parent and rights of parent-child contact to the other parent, or a sharing of the child's primary residential care by both parents. If either or both parents request an award of shared primary residential care and the court does not award shared primary residential care of the child, the court shall state in its decision the reasons why shared primary residential care is not in the best interest of the child;
(2) Conditions of parent-child contact in cases involving domestic abuse as provided in subsection 6;
(3) A provision for child support as provided in subsection 8 or a statement of the reasons for not ordering child support;
(4) A statement that each parent must have access to records and information pertaining to a minor child, including, but not limited to, medical, dental and school records and other information on school activities, whether or not the child resides with the parent, unless that access is found not to be in the best interest of the child or that access is found to be sought for the purpose of causing detriment to the other parent. If that access is not ordered, the court shall state in the order its reasons for denying that access;
(5) A statement that violation of the order may result in a finding of contempt and imposition of sanctions as provided in subsection 7; and
(6) A statement of the definition of shared parental rights and responsibilities contained in section 1501, subsection 5, if the order of the court awards shared parental rights and responsibilities.
An order modifying a previous order is not required to include provisions of the previous order that are not modified. [PL 2015, c. 494, Pt. A, §11 (AMD).]
E. The order of the court may not include a requirement that the State pay for the defendant to attend a domestic violence intervention program unless the program is certified under section 4014. [PL 2021, c. 174, §8 (AMD).]
F. The court may order that a minor's name be changed pursuant to Title 18‑C, section 1‑701. [PL 2021, c. 14, §2 (NEW).]
[PL 2021, c. 174, §8 (AMD).]
3. Best interest of child. The court, in making an award of parental rights and responsibilities with respect to a child, shall apply the standard of the best interest of the child. In making decisions regarding the child's residence and parent-child contact, the court shall consider as primary the safety and well-being of the child. In applying this standard, the court shall consider the following factors:
A. The age of the child; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
B. The relationship of the child with the child's parents and any other persons who may significantly affect the child's welfare; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
C. The preference of the child, if old enough to express a meaningful preference; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
D. The duration and adequacy of the child's current living arrangements and the desirability of maintaining continuity; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
E. The stability of any proposed living arrangements for the child; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
F. The motivation of the parties involved and their capacities to give the child love, affection and guidance; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
G. The child's adjustment to the child's present home, school and community; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
H. The capacity of each parent to allow and encourage frequent and continuing contact between the child and the other parent, including physical access; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
I. The capacity of each parent to cooperate or to learn to cooperate in child care; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
J. Methods for assisting parental cooperation and resolving disputes and each parent's willingness to use those methods; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
K. The effect on the child if one parent has sole authority over the child's upbringing; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
L. The existence of domestic abuse between the parents, in the past or currently, and how that abuse affects:
(1) The child emotionally;
(2) The safety of the child; and
(3) The other factors listed in this subsection, which must be considered in light of the presence of past or current domestic abuse; [PL 2009, c. 593, §2 (AMD).]
M. The existence of any history of child abuse by a parent; [PL 1997, c. 187, §3 (AMD); PL 1997, c. 187, §5 (AFF).]
N. All other factors having a reasonable bearing on the physical and psychological well-being of the child; [PL 1999, c. 702, §1 (AMD).]
O. A parent's prior willful misuse of the protection from abuse process in chapter 101 in order to gain tactical advantage in a proceeding involving the determination of parental rights and responsibilities of a minor child. Such willful misuse may only be considered if established by clear and convincing evidence, and if it is further found by clear and convincing evidence that in the particular circumstances of the parents and child, that willful misuse tends to show that the acting parent will in the future have a lessened ability and willingness to cooperate and work with the other parent in their shared responsibilities for the child. The court shall articulate findings of fact whenever relying upon this factor as part of its determination of a child's best interest. The voluntary dismissal of a protection from abuse petition may not, taken alone, be treated as evidence of the willful misuse of the protection from abuse process; [PL 2001, c. 665, §1 (AMD).]
P. If the child is under one year of age, whether the child is being breast-fed; [PL 2005, c. 567, §1 (AMD).]
Q. The existence of a parent's conviction for a sex offense or a sexually violent offense as those terms are defined in Title 34‑A, section 11203; [PL 2009, c. 593, §3 (AMD).]
R. If there is a person residing with a parent, whether that person:
(1) Has been convicted of a crime under Title 17‑A, chapter 11 or 12 or a comparable crime in another jurisdiction;
(2) Has been adjudicated of a juvenile offense that, if the person had been an adult at the time of the offense, would have been a violation of Title 17‑A, chapter 11 or 12; or
(3) Has been adjudicated in a proceeding, in which the person was a party, under Title 22, chapter 1071 as having committed a sexual offense; and [PL 2009, c. 593, §4 (AMD).]
S. Whether allocation of some or all parental rights and responsibilities would best support the child's safety and well-being. [PL 2009, c. 593, §5 (NEW).]
[PL 2009, c. 593, §§2-5 (AMD).]
4. Equal consideration of parents. The court may not apply a preference for one parent over the other in determining parental rights and responsibilities because of the parent's gender or the child's age or gender.
[PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
5. Departure from family residence. The court may not consider departure from the family residence as a factor in determining parental rights and responsibilities with respect to a minor child when the departing parent has been physically harmed or seriously threatened with physical harm by the other parent and that harm or threat of harm was causally related to the departure, or when one parent has left the family residence by mutual agreement or at the request or insistence of the other parent.
[PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
5-A. Effect of protective order. Although the court shall consider the fact that a protective order was issued under chapter 101, the court shall determine the proper award of parental rights and responsibilities and award of rights of contact de novo and may not use as precedent the award of parental rights and responsibilities and rights of contact included in the protective order.
[PL 2001, c. 273, §1 (NEW).]
6. Conditions of parent-child contact in cases involving domestic abuse. The court shall establish conditions of parent-child contact in cases involving domestic abuse as follows.
A. A court may award primary residence of a minor child or parent-child contact with a minor child to a parent who has committed domestic abuse only if the court finds that contact between the parent and child is in the best interest of the child and that adequate provision for the safety of the child and the parent who is a victim of domestic abuse can be made. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
B. In an order of parental rights and responsibilities, a court may:
(1) Order an exchange of a child to occur in a protected setting;
(2) Order contact to be supervised by another person or agency;
(3) Order the parent who has committed domestic abuse to attend and complete to the satisfaction of the court a domestic abuse intervention program or other designated counseling as a condition of the contact;
(4) Order either parent to abstain from possession or consumption of alcohol or controlled substances, or both, during the visitation and for 24 hours preceding the contact;
(5) Order the parent who has committed domestic abuse to pay a fee to defray the costs of supervised contact;
(6) Prohibit overnight parent-child contact; and
(7) Impose any other condition that is determined necessary to provide for the safety of the child, the victim of domestic abuse or any other family or household member. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
C. The court may require security from the parent who has committed domestic abuse for the return and safety of the child. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
D. The court may order the address of the child and the victim to be kept confidential. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
E. The court may not order a victim of domestic abuse to attend counseling with the parent who has committed domestic abuse. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
F. If a court allows a family or household member to supervise parent-child contact, the court shall establish conditions to be followed during that contact. Conditions include but are not limited to:
(1) Minimizing circumstances when the family of the parent who has committed domestic abuse would be supervising visits;
(2) Ensuring that contact does not damage the relationship with the parent with whom the child has primary physical residence;
(3) Ensuring the safety and well-being of the child; and
(4) Requiring that supervision is provided by a person who is physically and mentally capable of supervising a visit and who does not have a criminal history or history of abuse or neglect. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
G. Fees set forth in this subsection incurred by the parent who has committed domestic abuse may not be considered as a mitigating factor reducing that parent's child support obligation. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
[PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
6-A. Custody and contact limited; convictions for sexual offenses. The award of primary residence and parent-child contact with a person who has been convicted of a child-related sexual offense is governed by this subsection.
A. For the purposes of this section, "child-related sexual offense" means the following sexual offenses if, at the time of the commission of the offense, the victim was under 18 years of age or the victim was a student enrolled in a private or public elementary, secondary or special education school, facility or institution and the person was a teacher, employee or other official having instructional, supervisory or disciplinary authority over the student or the person was a substitute teacher who had instructional, supervisory or disciplinary authority over the student at any time during the 12 months prior to the time of the commission of the offense:
(1) Sexual exploitation of a minor, under Title 17‑A, section 282;
(2) Gross sexual assault, under Title 17‑A, section 253;
(3) Sexual abuse of a minor, under Title 17‑A, section 254;
(4) Unlawful sexual contact, under Title 17‑A, section 255‑A or former section 255;
(5) Visual sexual aggression against a child, under Title 17‑A, section 256;
(6) Sexual misconduct with a child under 14 years of age, under Title 17‑A, section 258;
(6-A) Solicitation of a child to commit a prohibited act, under Title 17‑A, section 259‑A; or
(7) An offense in another jurisdiction that involves conduct that is substantially similar to that contained in subparagraph (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6) or (6-A). For purposes of this subparagraph, "another jurisdiction" means the Federal Government, the United States military, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa and each of the several states except Maine. "Another jurisdiction" also means the Passamaquoddy Tribe when that tribe has acted pursuant to Title 30, section 6209‑A, subsection 1, paragraph A or B and the Penobscot Nation when that tribe has acted pursuant to Title 30, section 6209‑B, subsection 1, paragraph A or B. [PL 2021, c. 360, §6 (AMD).]
B. A court may award primary residence of a minor child or parent-child contact with a minor child to a parent who has been convicted of a child-related sexual offense only if the court finds that contact between the parent and child is in the best interest of the child and that adequate provision for the safety of the child can be made. [PL 2001, c. 665, §4 (NEW).]
C. In an order of parental rights and responsibilities, a court may require that parent-child contact between a minor child and a person convicted of a child-related sexual offense may occur only if there is another person or agency present to supervise the contact. If the court allows a family or household member to supervise parent-child contact, the court shall establish conditions to be followed during that contact. Conditions include, but are not limited to, those that:
(1) Minimize circumstances when the family of the parent who is a sex offender or sexually violent predator would be supervising visits;
(2) Ensure that contact does not damage the relationship with the parent with whom the child has primary physical residence;
(3) Ensure the safety and well-being of the child; and
(4) Require that supervision be provided by a person who is physically and mentally capable of supervising a visit and who does not have a criminal history or history of abuse or neglect. [PL 2001, c. 665, §4 (NEW).]
[PL 2021, c. 360, §6 (AMD).]
6-B. Conviction or adjudication for certain sex offenses; presumption. There is a rebuttable presumption that the petitioner would create a situation of jeopardy for the child if any contact were to be permitted and that any contact is not in the best interests of the child if the court finds that the person seeking primary residence or contact with the child:
A. Has been convicted of an offense listed in subsection 6‑A, paragraph A in which the victim was a minor at the time of the offense and the person was at least 5 years older than the minor at the time of the offense except that, if the offense was gross sexual assault under Title 17‑A, section 253, subsection 1, paragraph B or C, or an offense in another jurisdiction that involves conduct that is substantially similar to that contained in Title 17‑A, section 253, subsection 1, paragraph B or C, and the minor victim submitted as a result of compulsion, the presumption applies regardless of the ages of the person and the minor victim at the time of the offense; or [PL 2007, c. 513, §3 (AMD).]
B. Has been adjudicated in an action under Title 22, chapter 1071 of sexually abusing a person who was a minor at the time of the abuse. [PL 2005, c. 366, §3 (NEW).]
The person seeking primary residence or contact with the child may present evidence to rebut the presumption.
[PL 2007, c. 513, §3 (AMD).]
7. Violation of order concerning parental rights and responsibilities and contact. Either parent may petition the court for a hearing on the issue of noncompliance with the order issued under subsection 2. If the court finds that a parent has violated a part of the order, the court may find that parent in contempt and may:
A. Require additional or more specific terms and conditions consistent with the order; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
B. Order that additional visitation be provided for a parent to take the place of visitation that was wrongfully denied; or [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
C. Order a parent found in contempt to pay a forfeiture of at least $100. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
[PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
8. Child support order. The court may order conditions of child support as follows.
A. Either parent of a minor child shall contribute reasonable and just sums as child support payable weekly, biweekly, monthly or quarterly. In an action filed under section 1654, the court may require the child's nonprimary care provider to pay past support. Availability of public welfare benefits to the family may not affect the decision of the court as to the responsibility of a parent to provide child support. The court shall inquire of the parties concerning the existence of a child support order entered pursuant to chapter 65, subchapter 2, article 3. If an order exists, the court shall consider its terms in establishing a child support obligation. A determination or modification of child support under this section and a determination of past support must comply with chapter 63. [PL 2007, c. 142, §1 (AMD).]
B. After January 1, 1990, if the court orders either parent to provide child support, the court order must require that the child support be provided beyond the child's 18th birthday if the child is attending secondary school as defined in Title 20‑A, section 1, until the child graduates, withdraws or is expelled from secondary school or attains the age of 19, whichever occurs first. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
C. The court may require the payment of part or all of the medical expenses, hospital expenses and other health care expenses of the child. The court order must include a provision requiring at least one parent to obtain and maintain private health insurance for the child, if private health insurance for the child is available at reasonable cost. The court order must also require the parent providing insurance to furnish proof of coverage to the other parent within 15 days of receipt of a copy of the court order. If private health insurance for the child is not available at reasonable cost at the time of the hearing, the court order must include a provision requiring at least one parent to obtain and maintain private health insurance for the child that must be effective immediately upon private health insurance for the child being available at reasonable cost. [PL 2009, c. 290, §6 (AMD).]
When the department provides support enforcement services, the support order must include a provision that requires the responsible parent to keep the department informed of changes in that parent's current address, the name and address of that parent's current employer and whether the responsible parent has access to reasonable cost health insurance coverage and, if so, the health insurance policy information and any subsequent changes.
[PL 2009, c. 290, §6 (AMD).]
9. Enforcement of child support order. The court may enforce a child support order as provided in chapter 65.
[PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
10. Modification or termination. Upon the petition of one or both of the parents, an order for parental rights and responsibilities with respect to a minor child may be modified or terminated as circumstances require.
A. Modification and termination of child support orders are governed by section 2009. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
B. Modification of and termination orders for parental rights and responsibilities other than child support are governed by section 1657. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
[PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
11. Mediation. Prior to a contested hearing under this chapter relating to initial or modified orders, the court shall refer the parties to mediation as provided in chapter 3.
[PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
12. Termination of order. A court order requiring the payment of child support remains in force as to each child until the order is altered by the court or until that child:
A. Attains 18 years of age. For orders issued after January 1, 1990, if the child attains 18 years of age while attending secondary school as defined in Title 20‑A, section 1, the order remains in force until the child graduates, withdraws or is expelled from secondary school or attains 19 years of age, whichever occurs first; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
B. Becomes married; or [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
C. Becomes a member of the armed services. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
[PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
13. Automatic adjustments.
[PL 2017, c. 30, §1 (RP).]
14. Notice of relocation. The order must require notice of the intended relocation of a child by a parent awarded shared parental rights and responsibilities or allocated parental rights and responsibilities. At least 30 days before the intended relocation of a child by a parent, the parent shall provide notice to the other parent of the intended relocation. If the relocation must occur in fewer than 30 days, the parent who is relocating shall provide notice as soon as possible to the other parent. If the parent who is relocating believes notifying the other parent will cause danger to the relocating parent or the child, the relocating parent shall notify the court of the intended relocation, and the court shall provide appropriate notice to the other parent in a manner determined to provide safety to the relocating parent and child.
[PL 1997, c. 403, §1 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 403, §4 (AFF).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1995, c. 694, §B2 (NEW). PL 1995, c. 694, §E2 (AFF). PL 1997, c. 187, §§2,3 (AMD). PL 1997, c. 187, §5 (AFF). PL 1997, c. 403, §1 (AMD). PL 1997, c. 403, §4 (AFF). PL 1997, c. 415, §3 (AMD). PL 1997, c. 415, §5 (AFF). PL 1999, c. 702, §§1-3 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 273, §1 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 329, §§1,2 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 665, §§1-4 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 711, §C1 (AMD). PL 2005, c. 323, §12 (AMD). PL 2005, c. 366, §§2,3 (AMD). PL 2005, c. 567, §§1-3 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 142, §1 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 513, §§2, 3 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 290, §6 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 345, §1 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 593, §§1-5 (AMD). PL 2011, c. 597, §4 (AMD). PL 2015, c. 494, Pt. A, §11 (AMD). PL 2015, c. 509, §4 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 30, §1 (AMD). PL 2021, c. 14, §2 (AMD). PL 2021, c. 174, §8 (AMD). PL 2021, c. 360, §6 (AMD).