Jan. 21, 2020
HARRISBURG – To provide parents with precious time with their children that was unfairly taken from them, Rep. Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington) drafted legislation that the House Judiciary Committee passed with unanimous support today.
House Bill 437 addresses violations of custody orders by giving the courts the power to temporarily modify the schedule without creating a new custody order.
“Judges have asked to have this option incorporated into the law so they have that flexibility, and I trust that our judges will find the best solution if we give them the right tools,” Kail said. “It’s about doing what’s best for the children.”
If one party keeps the children for an extra week, the bill would allow a judge to award the other party who has missed that time the week that he or she is owed. Currently, if one parent breaks the custody order, there is no mechanism to give that time back to the other parent without a new custody order.
Under current law, a party who violates a custody order faces imprisonment up to six months, a fine of up to $500, probation for up to six months, suspension of driving privileges and/or counsel fees and costs.
As the bill received committee support, it now moves to the full House for consideration.
Representative Joshua Kail
15th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Alison Evans
717.260.6206
aevans@pahousegop.com
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