Rep. Thomas West promotes change in state law to foster equal parenting

State Rep. Thomas West wants to change state law so more divorced fathers can be as involved in the lives of their children as mothers.

The Ohio Legislative Service Commission is drafting legislation to require that family court judges presume that equal parenting is in the best interests of the child, said West, who represents Canton and Massillon. The default arrangement would be two divorced or separated parents who equally share custody and decision-making power over their children.

The state legislator said if his bill becomes law, judges could only further limit how much time a parent could spend with their child or limit their role in their child's life, if someone can prove that it would not be in the child's best interest for both parents to have equal custody.

"And we know, when both parents are in the lives of their child, you have a better chance with that child succeeding in life," West said. “Unless there’s other factors on why that person shouldn’t get 50/50, it should start with 50/50 custody."

West stressed his bill would not affect child support payment obligations.