The date of April 26 was chosen as Shared Parenting Day because the country’s first statewide equal shared parenting law was passed by lawmakers in Kentucky on April 26, 2018. This effort was spearheaded by NPO with the help of dozens of volunteers and support groups. The groundbreaking law made 50/50 custody presumed or considered for children whose parents are separated or divorce. In addition to Kentucky, these types of laws were passed in Arkansas in April 2021, West Virginia in March 2022, Florida in June, Florida in June 2023, and Missouri in July 2023. Since 2019 when Kentucky declared April 26 to be Shared Parenting day on the anniversary of its law, five other states have proclaimed April 26 Shared Parenting Day: Missouri, Arizona, Maryland, Massachusetts, and South Dakota. In addition, the city of El Paso, Texas proclaimed April 26 Shared Parenting Day in 2022. You can learn more by clicking on the states in the map below. If your state doesn’t recognize April 26 as Shared Parenting Day, you can help the Shared Parenting Day movement by following the link on the map for your state to ask your Governor to recognize the day. 

 “Raising awareness is the first step in making shared parenting laws the norm in every state,” said Matt Hale, NPO board member and advocate from Kentucky who created the nation’s first Shared Parenting Day celebration in 2019. “As more lawmakers, corporations, and families learn about the endless benefits of shared parenting, we are hopeful to see this day not only celebrated, but proclaimed, nationwide due legislation that supports shared parenting,” he added.

Yellow is the official color of Shared Parenting Day. Supporters of shared parenting are asked to wear yellow on Tuesday, April 26. The color was chosen because of its connection with family reunification and  for its ability to portray optimism, happiness, and joy. These are the same emotions that children and their parents have felt as states begin to show support for shared parenting laws.