In any action where the parenting plan is at issue because the parents are unable to agree, the court may order a social investigation. The investigation is a study concerning all pertinent details relating to the child and parent. The agency or persons conducting an investigation and study ordered by the court, furnish the court and all parties of record in the proceeding a written study containing recommendations. The recommendations include a written statement of facts found in the social investigation, upon which the recommendations are based. The court may consider the information contained in the study in making a decision on the parenting plan.

Before ordering electronic communication, a court must consider:

Whether electronic communication is in a child’s best interests;

Whether communication equipment and technology to provide electronic communication is reasonably available and affordable;

Each parent’s history of substance abuse or domestic violence; and

Any other factor that the court considers material.

There is a rebuttable presumption that it is in the best interests of a child for a parent and child to have reasonable telephone communication. Unless this presumption is rebutted, the court will order telephone communication.

Electronic communication may be used only to supplement a parent’s face-to-face contact with the minor child. Electronic communication may not be used to replace or as a substitute for face-to-face contact.