Committee sends custody-interference overhaul to general orders after heavy testimony and drafting concerns

Representative Scott presented House Bill 668 as the product of a task force that heard from more than 200 people and documented recurring enforcement gaps in child-custody cases. The bill would add affirmative defenses for reasonable, temporary delays, create an escalated penalty structure (infractions through misdemeanors with potential felony exposure for repeated or interstate conduct), and require law enforcement to verify a child’s location and complete a written report when custody interference is alleged.

Multiple parents and advocates gave emotional testimony about long court fights, lost parenting time and large legal bills. Courtney Criss, who said she serves in a step-parent role, told the committee: "Over the past 5 years our family has spent more than 68000 in legal fees simply trying to uphold an existing court order." Several committee members praised the bill’s intent but raised drafting concerns after noting current statute language that treats some interstate removals as felonies. To address that, the committee voted to send HB 668 to general orders for additional drafting work so sponsors and prosecutors can preserve felony coverage for the most egregious interstate cases while retaining the bill’s enforcement and documentation tools.