site.btaParliament Passes on Second Reading Amendments to Family Code Regarding Shared Parenting

Parliament adopted amendments to the Family Code on second reading on Thursday, which provide for the possibility of the court to order shared parenting.

When both parents have expressed a desire to exercise parental rights and this is in the best interests of the child, the court may order the joint exercise of parental rights and obligations after divorce, defining specific measures for each parent. When parents cannot agree on some of their rights and obligations, the court will resolve the dispute between them, according to the law passed in Parliament.

GERB-UDF MP Denitsa Sacheva who chairs the parliamentary Committee on Labour and Social Policy wrote in her Facebook profile later Thursday that the amendments to the Family Code seek to improve child protection, clarity about parents' rights and responsibilities, and reduce the number of cases where children are used as a means of pressure or revenge.

Earlier Thursday, two protests were held near Parliament. One of them backed the amendments, while the other one was against them.