This article originally ran in the Kentucky Era
In the wake of last year’s legislative approval of a law on shared parenting, Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin has proclaimed today Shared Parenting Day.
The proclamation reflects the need for parents to share equally in parenting their children during times of divorce or separation and Kentucky’s role in highlighting the issue.
According to the proclamation, Kentucky became the first true shared parenting state in the nation with the signing of House Bill 528 on April 26, 2018.
That bill was sponsored by Rep. Jason Petrie, who represents House District 16 including Todd, Logan and Warren counties.
He also sponsored a related bill in 2017.
Petrie said the proclamation brings attention to Kentucky’s leadership role in the matter.
“We’re leading the country on this issue,” he said.
The proclamation defines shared parenting as an arrangement where parents who are separated or divorced are given equal decision-making abilities and equal parenting time.
U.S. statistics note that children raised by single parents account for more than half of teen suicides as well as juveniles in state-operated institutions, high school dropouts, children in chemical abuse centers, those in prison, children who exhibit behavioral disorders, and homeless and runaway children, the proclamation said. 