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Task force proposes major changes in custody, visitation BISMARCK, ND (NDPR) - A task force is recommending some changes in North Dakota's child custody laws.

Bismarck attorney Sherry Mills Moore chairs the State Bar Association's Custody and Visitation Task Force. She told the Legislature's Interim Judicial Process Committee -- one of the recommendations is for divorcing parents with children to come up with a "parenting plan."

"A parenting plan is the written plan that parents would be required to submit to the court, outlining what they will do in the future in regard to their children," Moore told the Committee.

Moore also says the task force recommends that judges have the option of appointing "parenting coordinators" -- to help make decisions in high-conflict divorces.

"I think it would be fair to call them 'mediators with teeth,'" said Moore. "They can say, 'I've listened to you both. Turn the kids over for Thanksgiving, and we'll sort it out later.'"

Moore also says the terminology should be changed -- so that the words "custody" and "visitation" are no longer used. She says they would be replaced by such terms as "decision making responsibility" and "parenting schedule."

The interim committee will use the report for possible legislation.

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