HB1848

House Bill 1848 amends Arkansas law regarding child custody and visitation in cases where domestic abuse is proven. It refines the definition of 'domestic abuse' to include physical harm, assault, fear of imminent harm, and specified sexual conduct. The bill establishes a rebuttable presumption that it is not in a child's best interest to be placed in the custody of a parent who has engaged in a pattern of domestic abuse. If such a pattern is found, the burden of proof shifts to the abusive parent to demonstrate that granting them custody would not endanger the child. Additionally, the bill mandates that if a court grants unsupervised parenting time to a parent who failed to rebut this presumption, the court must provide specific written findings regarding the ongoing risk of harm. Courts are also authorized to impose safety conditions and require the abusive parent to complete a domestic violence intervention program.