A new bill filed by State Sen. Hanig seeks to establish a presumption of joint custody and encourage shared parenting arrangements in child custody cases, according to the North Carolina State Senate.
The bill, filed as SB 162 on Feb. 25 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Shared Parenting.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill establishes a presumption of joint custody and shared parenting in child custody cases in North Carolina, indicating that an arrangement where the child spends as close as possible to an equal amount of time with each parent is in the best interest of the child. The bill requires the court to consider various factors, such as the child’s wishes, relationships, health, and any domestic violence incidents, to make custody determinations. Mediation is emphasized for resolving custody disputes, and exceptions to the shared parenting presumption can be made based on clear evidence or mutual agreement between the parties. The bill takes effect when it becomes law.
Of the two sponsors of this bill, Hanig proposed the most bills (25) during the 2025 regular session.
Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
Hanig, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2025 to represent the state’s 1st Senate district, replacing previous state senator Norman Sanderson.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bobby Hanig and Dana Jones | SB 162 | 02/25/2025 | Shared Parenting. |
| Bobby Hanig, Carl Ford, and W. Ted Alexander | SB 135 | 02/24/2025 | Expand Homestead Exclusion Inc. Elig. Limit. |
| Bobby Hanig | SB 143 | 02/24/2025 | Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption. |
| Bobby Hanig | SB 144 | 02/24/2025 | Requirements for Operating Public Cold Baths. |
| Bobby Hanig and Timothy D. Moffitt | SB 147 | 02/24/2025 | Teacher License Reciprocity. |
| Bobby Hanig, Gale Adcock, and Timothy D. Moffitt | SB 110 | 02/17/2025 | North Carolina Work and Save. |
| Bobby Hanig and Timothy D. Moffitt | SB 95 | 02/13/2025 | Promote NC Sawmills. |
| Bobby Hanig | SB 85 | 02/12/2025 | Regulate Body Piercing in North Carolina. |
| Bobby Hanig | SB 89 | 02/12/2025 | AEDs and CPR in Schools. |
| Bobby Hanig, Carl Ford, and W. Ted Alexander | SB 91 | 02/12/2025 | Newborn Safety Devices. |
| Bobby Hanig, Carl Ford, and W. Ted Alexander | SB 92 | 02/12/2025 | Released Time Education Act. |
| Bobby Hanig and Carl Ford | SB 93 | 02/12/2025 | Portability of Leave/Charter Schools. |
| Bobby Hanig | SB 57 | 02/05/2025 | Workers’ Comp/Pay for Hearing Aids & Glasses. |
| Bobby Hanig, Eddie D. Settle, and Timothy D. Moffitt | SB 58 | 02/05/2025 | AG/Restrict Challenge to Presidential EOs. |
| Bobby Hanig | SB 35 | 01/30/2025 | Modify Local Workforce Development Board. |
| Bobby Hanig | SB 37 | 01/30/2025 | Hertford County Rural Development Authority. |
| Bobby Hanig | SB 38 | 01/30/2025 | Hertford County Economic Development. |
| Bobby Hanig and Timothy D. Moffitt | SB 10 | 01/29/2025 | Mobile Drivers Licenses. |
| Bobby Hanig | SB 11 | 01/29/2025 | Restore Down-Zoning Auth./Multiple Counties. |
| Bobby Hanig, Ralph Hise, and Timothy D. Moffitt | SB 14 | 01/29/2025 | Constitutional Amendment/Repeal Literacy Test. |
| Bobby Hanig | SB 15 | 01/29/2025 | Adopt Bottlenose Dolphin/State Marine Mammal. |
| Bobby Hanig | SB 19 | 01/29/2025 | Various Environmental Amendments. |
| Bobby Hanig | SB 20 | 01/29/2025 | Prohibiting Certain Mass Balloon Releases. |
| Bobby Hanig | SB 27 | 01/29/2025 | Restore Down-Zoning Auth./Multiple Counties. |
| Bobby Hanig | SB 9 | 01/29/2025 | 1st Senatorial District Local Act-1. |
