Abuse in Cases of Separation

The act clarifies that, for the purposes of the 'Uniform Dissolution of Marriage Act', domestic violence includes specified acts or threatened acts of harm or property damage against a family or household member; and clarifies that the conduct in the definition of domestic violence is domestic violence regardless of whether it constitutes a criminal offense. A person's protective behaviors do not constitute domestic violence.     For purposes of determining the allocation of parental responsibilities based on the best interests of the child, the act requires that for any evidence submitted to the court concerning whether a party has committed domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, or…