HB 508 will protect children’s relationships with both loving parents

By Don Hubin

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- When both parents are fit, loving parents, children should not be denied a full relationship with each of them because the parents choose to live apart. Parental separation should not result in parental deprivation. That is the moral principle on which Ohio House Bill 508, the “Children Need Both Parents” bill, is grounded.

First, HB 508 requires courts to defer to the parenting arrangement agreed to by parents unless this would be harmful to their children. Parents are in the best position to promote the best interest of their children and, absent extraordinary circumstances, courts should not substitute their judgment for the joint judgment of fit parents.

When divorcing parents don’t agree on post-separation parenting arrangements. HB 508 requires courts to begin with the presumption that both parents will continue to carry the responsibility of making decisions about the raising of the children and that the children will enjoy equal time in the care of each of their parents. Courts would retain discretion to deviate from those presumptions when there is evidence that such arrangements would be harmful to the children.