Vermont is one of only six (6) states where judges cannot grant joint custody on their own even when they determine that it would be in the best interest of children. Our current laws do not support the overwhelming scientific data that children have better social and educational outcomes with both parents actively involved in their lives. Lastly, no child deserves to have a capable, loving, and fit parent removed from their life because of the other parent's unwillingness to co-parent. Forty Four (44) other states have changed their custody laws and Sixteen (16) plus Washington DC have gone as far as enacting laws that assume that parents will share custody unless there is evidence of domestic violence, child abuse or neglect. Vermont's laws often fail to protect the best interest of children and must be changed.