§ 36-6-402. Definitions
 As used in this part, unless the context requires otherwise:

 (1) "Custodial parent" means where, in order to comply with other federal and state laws, it is necessary to designate one (1) parent as the custodial parent, the primary residential parent may be deemed to be the custodial parent where agreed to by the parties or ordered by the court;  provided, that such designation does not affect the decision making process as delineated in the parties' parenting plan;

 (2) "Parenting responsibilities" means those aspects of the parent child relationship in which the parent makes decisions and performs duties necessary for the care and growth of the child.  Parenting responsibilities include:

 (A) Maintaining a loving, stable, consistent, and nurturing relationship with the child;
 (B) Attending to the daily needs of the child, such as feeding, clothing, physical care, and grooming, supervision, health care, and day care, and engaging in other activities which are appropriate to the developmental level of the child and that are within the social and economic circumstances of the particular family;
 (C) Attending to adequate education for the child, including remedial or other  education essential to the best interests of the child;
 (D) Assisting the child in developing and maintaining appropriate interpersonal relationships;
 (E) Exercising appropriate judgment regarding the child's welfare, consistent with the child's developmental level and the family's social and economic circumstances;
 (F) Providing for the financial support of the child;  and
 (G) Supervising the child to encourage and protect emotional, intellectual, moral, and spiritual development;

 (3) "Parenting schedule" is the schedule of when the child is in each parent's physical care;

 (4) "Permanent parenting plan" means a plan for parenting the child, including the allocation of parenting responsibilities and the establishment of schedules incident to those allocations, as well as an award of child support pursuant to title 36, chapter 5.  Any final decree or decree of modification in an action for absolute divorce, divorce from bed and board, annulment, or separate maintenance shall incorporate such plan;

 (5) "Primary residential parent" means the parent with whom the child resides more than fifty percent (50%) of the time.

 (6) "Residential provisions" include the parenting schedules, time in residence at each parent's house, decision-making allocation, and parenting function allocation.

 (7) "Temporary parenting plan" means a plan for parenting of the child, including the allocation of parenting responsibilities, the establishment of schedules incident to those allocations, and the establishment of temporary financial support designed to maintain the financial status quo to the extent possible, which plan is incorporated in any temporary order of any court having jurisdiction over an action for absolute divorce, divorce from bed and board, annulment, or separate maintenance.
 

Added by 1997 Pub.Acts, c. 557, § 1, eff. July 1, 1997.