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Bill Summary · HB 550

Legislative bill overview

HB 550 would require courts to award compensatory parenting time to a parent when the other parent violates a court-ordered parenting schedule. The bill aims to ensure that parents who lose custody time due to violations by the other parent receive makeup time, rather than simply accepting the lost time or relying solely on contempt penalties.

Why is this important

Parenting time violations directly affect children's relationships with both parents and can disrupt custody arrangements that courts have carefully established. This bill attempts to shift enforcement mechanisms from purely punitive (contempt charges) to restorative, prioritizing the child's continued access to both parents while creating a deterrent against deliberate violations.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition and proof standards: The bill may need to clarify what constitutes a "violation" versus legitimate circumstances (emergencies, safety concerns) and what evidence standard courts should use to award compensatory time.
  • Practical implementation challenges: Scheduling makeup parenting time can be complex, especially for parents with work obligations or other commitments, and courts may struggle with enforcement if compensatory time isn't taken.
  • Balancing competing interests: Child safety concerns and parental fitness issues may conflict with automatic compensatory time awards, potentially forcing courts to award time with a parent who has acted in bad faith.

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

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