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HF 5065

Study on child custody and parenting time cases in the judicial system funding provided, report required, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Peggy Scott

Funds a one-time $25,000 study by National Parents Organization to analyze Minnesota family court files and issue policy recommendations to improve child outcomes.

Introduction and first reading, referred to Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
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Bill Summary · HF 5065

Summary of HF 5065 (2025-2026) – Minnesota

Purpose

HF 5065 proposes a one-time appropriation to fund a third-party study of Minnesota child custody and parenting time outcomes within the judicial system. The aim is to examine court files in family law cases and provide findings and recommendations to improve outcomes for children and families.

Key Provisions

  • Appropriation Used

    • Provides a one-time $25,000 from the general fund in fiscal year 2027.
    • Source: General Fund to the Minnesota Supreme Court.

  • Grant Recipient

    • The funds are to be granted to the National Parents Organization to conduct the study.

  • Scope of Study

    • The study will review Minnesota court files in family law cases involving:
    • (1) Divorce
    • (2) Custody
    • (3) Parenting time
    • (4) Paternity

  • Reporting Requirements

    • The National Parents Organization must submit a report by December 31, 2026.
    • The report must include:
    • Findings from the examination and analysis of the reviewed court files.
    • Outcomes for children in custody and parenting time cases.
    • Recommendations or suggestions for legislation to improve outcomes for families in Minnesota.
    • The report is to be delivered to the Supreme Court and to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over judiciary and civil law.

  • Nature of Appropriation

    • This is a one-time appropriation; there is no ongoing funding beyond the specified Grant period.

Who Is Affected

  • Judicial System: The study uses court files from Minnesota family law cases, potentially affecting how data is analyzed and interpreted within the judiciary.
  • Families and Children: Indirectly affected through potential future policy or legislative changes informed by the study’s findings.
  • Recipients/Stakeholders:
    • Minnesota Supreme Court as the recipient of the final report.
    • Legislative committees with jurisdiction over judiciary and civil law (for receipt of findings and recommendations).
    • National Parents Organization as the grant recipient and research entity.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Introduction and Referral: HF 5065 introduced and referred to Judiciary Finance and Civil Law on 2026-04-22.
  • Funding Timeline:
    • Fiscal year 2027: $25,000 general fund appropriation.
  • Reporting Deadline: December 31, 2026 for the final study report.
  • Onetime Appropriation: Explicitly indicated as a one-time grant; no explicit continuation or renewal beyond the specified period.

Observations

  • The bill does not alter procedural rules or practices within Minnesota courts directly; instead, it seeks to gather empirical data and produce recommendations that could inform future policy.
  • With a relatively modest appropriation ($25k), the study is primarily a data-gathering and policy-recommendation effort rather than a large-scale reform initiative.

Status

  • Introduced and referred to Judiciary Finance and Civil Law on April 22, 2026.
  • Sponsored in part by Co-sponsor Peggy Scott.

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

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