Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Family Court Custody topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
House amends and approves parent-time bill with added factors for contested cases
Summary
The House passed a substitute to Senate Bill 223 revising parent-time (custody) standards and adopted amendments adding judicial factors — including reimbursement arrangements, potential financial detriment, and explicit parental desire for joint physical custody — intended to aid judges in contested cases; substitute passed 58–8 after a division vote on the amendment.
Lawmakers debated and passed a substitute for Senate Bill 223 to modify Utah's parent-time and joint-custody framework and to add specific factors judges should consider in contested custody cases.
Representative Christiansen offered an amendment that adds three factors to the statutory list judges consider in child custody determinations: whether parents will responsibly reimburse one another for the child's expenses, whether a proposed joint custody arrangement would create financial detriment to the child, and whether both parents express a desire for joint physical custody. Christiansen said the additions are designed to give trial judges clearer guidance in contested cases and to account for practical and economic realities.
Opponents, including Representative Bennion and Representative Thompson, argued the court already has broad discretion and that repetitive or limiting statutory language can be unnecessary or counterproductive. Thompson asserted the bill's language on frequent and continuing contact with the noncustodial parent reflects existing case law and warned that focusing on caregiver economic impact could inappropriately affect child-support principles.
After debate, the amendment under Representative Christiansen's name passed on a division vote (35–30), the substitute bill proceeded, and the House later recorded a final vote of 58 yes and 8 no for the substitute as amended.
Supporters said the substitute provides a balanced, modernized approach that encourages shared parenting when appropriate while leaving judges discretion to determine the child's best interest. Opponents underscored the need to preserve longstanding judicial standards and cautioned against inserting redundant or potentially limiting language.
