1. The Legislature finds and declares that:

a. There has been an increase in the filings of dissolutions of marriages in the recent years; and

b. The best interests of the children of these marriages in maintaining close relationships with both parents regardless of which parent has the physical custody of the child is paramount; and

c. Proceeding criminally in cases where the terms of an order of visitation with a child has failed to be honored may be both difficult and inappropriate; and

d. Bolstering the statutory civil remedies available to a judge hearing these types of matters may provide an indication of legislative intent to promote the enforcement of these matters.

L.1997,c.300,s.1.