14-year-olds could tell judges their druthers in child custody cases

SALT LAKE CITY— The full Senate will consider a bill to allow children 14 and older to tell judges, in cases of divorce, their preference for a custodial parent.
The Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Standing Committee on Monday endorsed the bill, after rejecting an amendment by its sponsor to further lower the age to 12. The current statute allows children 16 and older to address the court.
Sen. Luz Robles, D-Salt Lake, said her intent in amending SB139 was to “give voices to children.”
But Sen. Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan, said he worried about giving younger children unreasonable expectations.
In a previous interview, Robles said most 14 year olds can appropriately express their preferences in custody proceedings. Some states allow children as young as 12 to address judges on the issue, she said.