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SF 5156

Parenting Time Enforcement Task Force establishment and appropriation

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Holmstrom and 1 co-sponsor

Creates a multidisciplinary task force to study and improve enforcement of parenting time orders while prioritizing child safety, with a final report and potential legislative acti

Author added Lieske
#appropriations #childrenandfamiliesandchildren #youthandfamiliesdepartment #marriageandmarriagedissolution #taskforces
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SF 5156

Summary of SF 5156 (2025-2026) – Parenting Time Enforcement Task Force Establishment and Appropriation (Minnesota)

Purpose and intent

  • Create the Parenting Time Enforcement Task Force to study and improve enforcement of court-ordered parenting time and address custody-interference issues under Minnesota statutes chapters 518 and 609.
  • Ensure child safety while evaluating and recommending ways to strengthen enforcement of parenting time orders and protect children’s well-being.

Key provisions and changes

Section 1: Establishment and structure

  • Task Force creation: Establishes the Parenting Time Enforcement Task Force to study enforcement and custody-interference issues and to develop recommendations for improvements.
  • Membership (Subd. 2): A diverse group of 18 members, including:
    • 2 House of Representatives members (1 from Speaker, 1 from Minority Leader)
    • 2 Senate members (1 from Majority Leader, 1 from Minority Leader)
    • Chief Justice or designee with family court experience
    • 1 district court judge with family court experience
    • 1 county attorney (appointed by the Minnesota County Attorneys Association)
    • 1 sheriff or municipal law enforcement representative (appointed by the Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association)
    • 1 representative from the Department of Human Services with child protection expertise
    • 1 representative from the Board of Public Defense with experience in family or criminal law
    • 2 attorneys with experience representing parents in custody/parenting time proceedings (one custodial, one noncustodial), appointed by the Minnesota State Bar Association
    • 1 guardian ad litem or child advocacy representative (appointed by the State Guardian Ad Litem Board)
    • 1 mental health professional with expertise in child and family dynamics (appointed by the Commissioner of Health)
    • 2 parents with lived experience of parenting time denial or custody-interference disputes (appointed jointly by legislative members of the task force)
  • Appointment deadline: All appointments must be made by August 1, 2026.
  • Compensation: Members serve without pay but may be reimbursed for expenses as allowed by applicable law (Minnesota Statutes, § 15.059, subd. 3).

Subd. 3. Duties

  • Evaluate existing remedies for parenting time denial and custody interference ( Minn. Stat. §§ 518.175, 609.26 ).
  • Examine the frequency/nature of repeated parenting time violations and adequacy of enforcement mechanisms.
  • Review civil and criminal enforcement tools, including contempt proceedings and custodial-interference statutes.
  • Assess impact on child safety and family well-being, including domestic violence considerations.
  • Identify barriers to timely and effective enforcement of parenting time orders.
  • Review best practices from other states related to parenting time enforcement and custody-interference remedies.
  • Develop recommendations for legislative or judicial action to improve enforcement while safeguarding children’s best interests and safety.

Subd. 4. Administration

  • Administrative support provided by the Legislative Coordinating Commission.
  • The task force is subject to Minnesota Statutes, chapters 13 and 13D (open meetings and data practices).
  • The task force will elect a chair and a vice-chair from among its legislative members.

Subd. 5. Report

  • Deadline: By January 15, 2027, the task force must submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over family law and public safety.
  • The report must include findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation.

Subd. 6. Expiration

  • The task force expires on June 30, 2027.

Sec. 2. Appropriation

  • A general fund appropriation (amount not specified in the text) to the Legislative Coordinating Commission to support the Parenting Time Enforcement Task Force for fiscal year 2026.

Who is affected

  • Legislature (creation of a new stakeholder group and study process)
  • Courts (potential changes in enforcement practices, proposed legislation)
  • Parties to parenting time orders (parents, guardians ad litem, child advocates)
  • Law enforcement, prosecutors, and child protection agencies (participation and consideration of enforcement mechanisms)
  • Families and children affected by parenting time disputes (aims to improve safety and outcomes)

Procedural and timeline highlights

  • Appointments due by August 1, 2026.
  • Task force to operate under open meeting laws and data practices statutes.
  • Initial establishment of leadership (chair and vice-chair) from among legislative members.
  • Final report due by January 15, 2027.
  • Task force sunset date: June 30, 2027.
  • Funding provision included (general fund) for 2026, amount to be determined.

Practical takeaway

SF 5156 would create a multi-disciplinary task force to analyze and improve how Minnesota enforces parenting time orders, balancing effective enforcement with child safety. It outlines a broad scope of review (legal tools, enforcement barriers, interjurisdictional practices, and lessons from other states) and culminates in a formal legislative/judicial action plan to be reported in early 2027, with potential subsequent measures.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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