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Senate rejects bill seeking automatic parenting-time relief after false abuse allegations
Summary
The Senate defeated Senate Bill 21-84, a proposal to restore or extend parenting time automatically after a finding that an allegation of harm was false; the Judiciary Committee had recommended defeat, citing child welfare and court workload concerns.
Senator Bridal, the Judiciary Committee chair, reported the committee's recommendation against Senate Bill 21-84 and explained why the panel urged a "do not pass" vote.
The bill would have created a mechanism to grant additional parenting time when a court found an allegation of harm to a child was false or not made in good faith. Bridal said the committee majority believed the proposal risked burdening family courts and could prioritize parents' disputes over children's welfare: "the majority of your judiciary committee felt this was not...on behalf of the child as much as his 2 parents fighting." The committee cited concerns that the change could double court work and create difficult enforcement questions in unique custody cases.
Senator Paulson, who supported the bill, framed it as a bill about "personal accountability and responsibility," saying existing law left no consequences for false allegations and that recent amendments clarified investigations would be performed by professionals and that a court would decide the remedy.
After debate, the Senate voted 18 ayes, 26 nays, 3 absent; the bill failed.
Nut graf: The measure divided senators along lines of judicial workload and child welfare. Supporters said it would deter false allegations and restore parenting time; opponents said it would create enforcement problems and shift focus from children's best interests to parental retaliation.
Discussion highlights: The Judiciary Committee emphasized that family-court disputes are highly fact-specific and that the proposed automatic relief could compel judges to resolve complex, individualized custody questions more frequently. Supporters said recent amendments sought to limit harm by requiring professional investigations and court determinations.
Outcome and next steps: The bill did not pass; no formal referral or direction to staff for further study was recorded in the transcript.
Ending: The Senate moved on to other business after the vote.
