2025 Session Last amended: 2021 session

§ 518.179 — Participation in Custody or Parenting Time When Person Convicted of Certain Offenses

Plain-Language Summary

Restricts custody and parenting time for a parent convicted of certain serious crimes, including murder, assault, domestic abuse, criminal sexual conduct, and sex trafficking. The convicted parent bears the burden of proving that custody or parenting time is in the child's best interests, and a guardian ad litem must be appointed.

Practical Notes
When this applies: When a parent seeking custody or parenting time has been convicted of a qualifying offense within the past five years, is currently incarcerated or on probation for the offense, or the victim was a family or household member. Who this affects: Parents with certain criminal convictions in Minnesota custody cases. Key points: The burden of proof shifts to the convicted parent to show custody or parenting time serves the child’s best interests. If the victim was a family member, the standard is ‘clear and convincing evidence,’ which is harder to meet. A guardian ad litem must be appointed in every case where this section applies. Qualifying offenses include murder, manslaughter, assault, domestic abuse, criminal sexual conduct, stalking, and sex trafficking.