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H.B. 16

This document includes House Committee Amendments incorporated into the bill on Wed, Jan 27, 2010 at 5:02 PM by lerror. --> This document includes House Floor Amendments incorporated into the bill on Mon, Feb 1, 2010 at 1:21 PM by lerror. -->              1     

PARENT-TIME AMENDMENTS

             2     
2010 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Lorie D. Fowlke

             5     
Senate Sponsor: Curtis S. Bramble

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      Committee Note:
             9          The Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Interim Committee
             10      recommended this bill.
             11      General Description:
             12          This bill clarifies provisions relating to parent-time when the parents live in different
             13      states or more than 150 miles from each other, and specific holiday issues.
             14      Highlighted Provisions:
             15          This bill:
             16          .    clarifies provisions relating to parent-time when Section 30-3-37 applies including:
             17              .    that the noncustodial parent is entitled to only one weekend per month;
             18              .    that the last weekend of the month is designated as the noncustodial parent's
             19      weekend if no other designation is made and a holiday assigned to the custodial
             20      parent does not fall on that weekend;
             21              .    that nonschool days, if contiguous to the noncustodial parent's weekend and not
             22      a holiday, are to be included in the weekend; and
             23              .    that the custodial parent is entitled to all parent-time not specifically allocated to
             24      the noncustodial parent;
             25          .    specifies that extended parent-time is to be exercised when school is not in session;
             26          .    adds in references to Mother's Day for parent-time for children under five years of
             27      age; and


             28          .    makes technical corrections.
             29      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             30          None
             31      Other Special Clauses:
             32          None
             33      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             34      AMENDS:
             35          30-3-10.4, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 179
             36          30-3-35, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 146
             37          30-3-35.5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 146
             38          30-3-37, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 146
             39     
             40      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             41          Section 1. Section 30-3-10.4 is amended to read:
             42           30-3-10.4. Modification or termination of order.
             43          (1) On the petition of one or both of the parents, or the joint legal or physical
             44      custodians if they are not the parents, the court may, after a hearing, modify or terminate an
             45      order that established joint legal or physical custody if:
             46          (a) the verified petition or accompanying affidavit initially alleges that admissible
             47      evidence will show that the circumstances of the child or one or both parents or joint legal or
             48      physical custodians have materially and substantially changed since the entry of the order to be
             49      modified;
             50          (b) a modification of the terms and conditions of the order would be an improvement
             51      for and in the best interest of the child; and
             52          (c) (i) both parents have complied in good faith with the dispute resolution procedure
             53      in accordance with Subsection 30-3-10.3 (7); or
             54          (ii) if no dispute resolution procedure is contained in the order that established joint
             55      legal or physical custody, the court orders the parents to participate in a dispute resolution
             56      procedure in accordance with Subsection 30-3-10.2 (5) unless the parents certify that, in good
             57      faith, they have utilized a dispute resolution procedure to resolve their dispute.
             58          (2) (a) In determining whether the best interest of a child will be served by either


             59      modifying or terminating the joint legal or physical custody order, the court shall, in addition to
             60      other factors the court considers relevant, consider the factors outlined in Section 30-3-10 and
             61      Subsection 30-3-10.2 (2).
             62          (b) The court shall make specific written findings on each of the factors relied upon
             63      stating:
             64          (i) a material and substantial change of circumstance has occurred; and
             65          (ii) a modification of the terms and conditions of the order would be an improvement
             66      for and in the best interest of the child.
             67          (c) The court shall give substantial weight to the existing joint legal or physical custody
             68      order when the child is thriving, happy, and well-adjusted.
             69          (3) The court shall, in every case regarding a [motion] petition for termination of a
             70      joint legal or physical custody order, consider reasonable alternatives to preserve the existing
             71      order in accordance with Subsection 30-3-10 (1)(b). The court may modify the terms and
             72      conditions of the existing order in accordance with Subsection 30-3-10 (5) and may order the
             73      parents to file a parenting plan in accordance with this chapter.
             74          (4) A parent requesting a modification from sole custody to joint legal custody or joint
             75      physical custody or both, or any other type of shared parenting arrangement, shall file and serve
             76      a proposed parenting plan with the petition to modify in accordance with Section 30-3-10.8 .
             77          (5) If the court finds that an action under this section is filed or answered frivolously
             78      and in a manner designed to harass the other party, the court shall assess attorney fees as costs
             79      against the offending party.
             80          Section 2. Section 30-3-35 is amended to read:
             81           30-3-35. Minimum schedule for parent-time for children 5 to 18 years of age.
             82          (1) The parent-time schedule in this section applies to children 5 to 18 years of age.
             83          (2) If the parties do not agree to a parent-time schedule, the following schedule shall be
             84      considered the minimum parent-time to which the noncustodial parent and the child shall be
             85      entitled.
             86          (a) (i) (A) One weekday evening to be specified by the noncustodial parent or the court,
             87      or Wednesday evening if not specified, from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.;
             88          (B) at the election of the noncustodial parent, one weekday from the time the child's
             89      school is regularly dismissed until 8:30 p.m., unless the court directs the application of


             90      Subsection (2)(a)(i); or
             91          (C) at the election of the noncustodial parent, if school is not in session, one weekday
             92      from approximately 9 a.m., accommodating the custodial parent's work schedule, until 8:30
             93      p.m. if the noncustodial parent is available to be with the child, unless the court directs the
             94      application of Subsection (2)(a)(i)(A) or (2)(a)(i)(B).
             95          (ii) Once the election of the weekday for the weekday evening parent-time is made, it
             96      may not be changed except by mutual written agreement or court order.
             97          (b) (i) (A) Alternating weekends beginning on the first weekend after the entry of the
             98      decree from 6 p.m. on Friday until 7 p.m. on Sunday continuing each year;
             99          (B) at the election of the noncustodial parent, from the time the child's school is
             100      regularly dismissed on Friday until 7 p.m. on Sunday, unless the court directs the application of
             101      Subsection (2)(b)(i)(A); or
             102          (C) at the election of the noncustodial parent, if school is not in session, on Friday from
             103      approximately 9 a.m., accommodating the custodial parent's work schedule, until 7 p.m. on
             104      Sunday, if the noncustodial parent is available to be with the child unless the court directs the
             105      application of Subsection (2)(b)(i)(A) or (2)(b)(i)(B).
             106          (ii) A step-parent, grandparent, or other responsible adult designated by the
             107      noncustodial parent, may pick up the child if the custodial parent is aware of the identity of the
             108      individual, and the parent will be with the child by 7 p.m.
             109          (iii) Elections should be made by the noncustodial parent at the time of entry of the
             110      divorce decree or court order, and may be changed by mutual agreement, court order, or by the
             111      noncustodial parent in the event of a change in the child's schedule.
             112          (iv) Weekends include any "snow" days, teacher development days, or other days when
             113      school is not scheduled and which are contiguous to the weekend period.
             114          (c) Holidays include any "snow" days, teacher development days after the children
             115      begin the school year, or other days when school is not scheduled, contiguous to the holiday
             116      period, and take precedence over the weekend parent-time. Changes may not be made to the
             117      regular rotation of the alternating weekend parent-time schedule; however, birthdays take
             118      precedence over holidays and extended parent-time, except Mother's Day and Father's Day;
             119      birthdays do not take precedence over uninterrupted parent-time if the parent exercising
             120      uninterrupted time takes the child away from that parent's residence for the uninterrupted


             121      extended parent-time.
             122          (d) If a holiday falls on a regularly scheduled school day, the noncustodial parent shall
             123      be responsible for the child's attendance at school for that school day.
             124          (e) (i) If a holiday falls on a weekend or on a Friday or Monday and the total holiday
             125      period extends beyond that time so that the child is free from school and the parent is free from
             126      work, the noncustodial parent shall be entitled to this lengthier holiday period.
             127          (ii) (A) At the election of the noncustodial parent, parent-time over a scheduled holiday
             128      weekend may begin from the time the child's school is regularly dismissed at the beginning of
             129      the holiday weekend until 7 p.m. on the last day of the holiday weekend; or
             130          (B) at the election of the noncustodial parent, if school is not in session, parent-time
             131      over a scheduled holiday weekend may begin at approximately 9 a.m., accommodating the
             132      custodial parent's work schedule, the first day of the holiday weekend until 7 p.m. on the last
             133      day of the holiday weekend, if the noncustodial parent is available to be with the child unless
             134      the court directs the application of Subsection (2)(e)(ii)(A).
             135          (iii) A step-parent, grandparent, or other responsible individual designated by the
             136      noncustodial parent, may pick up the child if the custodial parent is aware of the identity of the
             137      individual, and the parent will be with the child by 7 p.m.
             138          (iv) Elections should be made by the noncustodial parent at the time of the divorce
             139      decree or court order, and may be changed by mutual agreement, court order, or by the
             140      noncustodial parent in the event of a change in the child's schedule.
             141          (f) In years ending in an odd number, the noncustodial parent is entitled to the
             142      following holidays:
             143          (i) child's birthday on the day before or after the actual birthdate beginning at 3 p.m.
             144      until 9 p.m.; at the discretion of the noncustodial parent, he may take other siblings along for
             145      the birthday;
             146          (ii) Martin Luther King, Jr. beginning 6 p.m. on Friday until Monday at 7 p.m. unless
             147      the holiday extends for a lengthier period of time to which the noncustodial parent is
             148      completely entitled;
             149          (iii) spring break beginning at 6 p.m. on the day school lets out for the holiday until 7
             150      p.m. on the Sunday before school resumes;
             151          (iv) July 4 beginning 6 p.m. the day before the holiday until 11 p.m. or no later than 6


             152      p.m. on the day following the holiday, at the option of the parent exercising the holiday;
             153          (v) Labor Day beginning 6 p.m. on Friday until Monday at 7 p.m., unless the holiday
             154      extends for a lengthier period of time to which the noncustodial parent is completely entitled;
             155          (vi) the fall school break, if applicable, commonly known as U.E.A. weekend
             156      beginning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday until Sunday at 7 p.m. unless the holiday extends for a
             157      lengthier period of time to which the noncustodial parent is completely entitled;
             158          (vii) Veteran's Day holiday beginning 6 p.m. the day before the holiday until 7 p.m. on
             159      the holiday; and
             160          (viii) the first portion of the Christmas school vacation as defined in Subsection
             161      30-3-32 (3)(b) including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, continuing until 1 p.m. on the day
             162      halfway through the H. [ [ ] holiday [ ] ] [ vacation ] .H period, if there are an odd number of days
             162a      for the
             163      H. [ [ ] holiday [ ] ] [ vacation ] .H period, or until 7 p.m. if there are an even number of days for
             163a      the H. [ [ ] holiday [ ] ] .H
             164      vacation period, so long as the entire H. [ [ ] holiday [ ] ] [ vacation ] .H period is equally
             164a      divided.
             165          (g) In years ending in an even number, the noncustodial parent is entitled to the
             166      following holidays:
             167          (i) child's birthday on actual birthdate beginning at 3 p.m. until 9 p.m.; at the discretion
             168      of the noncustodial parent, he may take other siblings along for the birthday;
             169          (ii) President's Day beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday until 7 p.m. on Monday unless the
             170      holiday extends for a lengthier period of time to which the noncustodial parent is completely
             171      entitled;
             172          (iii) Memorial Day beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday until Monday at 7 p.m., unless the
             173      holiday extends for a lengthier period of time to which the noncustodial parent is completely
             174      entitled;
             175          (iv) July 24 beginning at 6 p.m. on the day before the holiday until 11 p.m. or no later
             176      than 6 p.m. on the day following the holiday, at the option of the parent exercising the holiday;
             177          (v) Columbus Day beginning at 6 p.m. the day before the holiday until 7 p.m. on the
             178      holiday;
             179          (vi) Halloween on October 31 or the day Halloween is traditionally celebrated in the
             180      local community from after school until 9 p.m. if on a school day, or from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m.;
             181          (vii) Thanksgiving holiday beginning Wednesday at 7 p.m. until Sunday at 7 p.m.; and


             182          (viii) the second portion of the Christmas school vacation as defined in Subsection


             183      30-3-32 (3)(b), beginning 1 p.m. on the day halfway through the holiday H. period .H , if there
             183a      are an odd
             184      number of days for the holiday period, or at 7 p.m. if there are an even number of days for the
             185      holiday period, so long as the entire Christmas holiday H. period .H is equally divided.
             186          (h) The custodial parent is entitled to the odd year holidays in even years and the even
             187      year holidays in odd years.
             188          (i) Father's Day shall be spent with the natural or adoptive father every year beginning
             189      at 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. on the holiday.
             190          (j) Mother's Day shall be spent with the natural or adoptive mother every year
             191      beginning at 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. on the holiday.
             192          (k) Extended parent-time with the noncustodial parent may be:
             193          (i) up to four [weeks] consecutive weeks when school is not in session at the option of
             194      the noncustodial parent, including weekends normally exercised by the noncustodial parent, but
             195      not holidays;
             196          (ii) two weeks shall be uninterrupted time for the noncustodial parent; and
             197          (iii) the remaining two weeks shall be subject to parent-time for the custodial parent for
             198      weekday parent-time but not weekends, except for a holiday to be exercised by the other
             199      parent.
             200          (l) The custodial parent shall have an identical two-week period of uninterrupted time
             201      [during the children's summer vacation from] when school is not in session for purposes of
             202      vacation.
             203          (m) Both parents shall provide notification of extended parent-time or vacation weeks
             204      with the child at least 30 days [in advance] prior to the end of the child's school year to the
             205      other parent and if notification is not provided timely the complying parent may determine the
             206      schedule for extended parent-time for the noncomplying parent.
             207          (n) Telephone contact shall be at reasonable hours and for a reasonable duration.
             208          (o) Virtual parent-time, if the equipment is reasonably available and the parents reside
             209      at least 100 miles apart, shall be at reasonable hours and for reasonable duration, provided that
             210      if the parties cannot agree on whether the equipment is reasonably available, the court shall
             211      decide whether the equipment for virtual parent-time is reasonably available, taking into
             212      consideration:
             213          (i) the best interests of the child;


             214          (ii) each parent's ability to handle any additional expenses for virtual parent-time; and
             215          (iii) any other factors the court considers material.
             216          (3) Any elections required to be made in accordance with this section by either parent
             217      concerning parent-time shall be made a part of the decree and made a part of the parent-time
             218      order.
             219          (4) Notwithstanding Subsection (2)(e)(i), the Halloween holiday may not be extended
             220      beyond the hours designated in Subsection (2)(g)(vi).
             221          Section 3. Section 30-3-35.5 is amended to read:
             222           30-3-35.5. Minimum schedule for parent-time for children under five years of
             223      age.
             224          (1) The parent-time schedule in this section applies to children under five years old.
             225          (2) All holidays in this section refer to the same holidays referenced in Section
             226      30-3-35 .
             227          (3) If the parties do not agree to a parent-time schedule, the following schedule shall be
             228      considered the minimum parent-time to which the noncustodial parent and the child shall be
             229      entitled.
             230          (a) For children under five months of age:
             231          (i) six hours of parent-time per week to be specified by the court or the noncustodial
             232      parent preferably:
             233          (A) divided into three parent-time periods; and
             234          (B) in the custodial home, established child care setting, or other environment familiar
             235      to the child; and
             236          (ii) two hours on holidays and in the years specified in Subsections 30-3-35 (2)(f)
             237      through [(i)] (j) preferably in the custodial home, the established child care setting, or other
             238      environment familiar to the child.
             239          (b) For children five months of age or older, but younger than nine months of age:
             240          (i) nine hours of parent-time per week to be specified by the court or the noncustodial
             241      parent preferably:
             242          (A) divided into three parent-time periods; and
             243          (B) in the custodial home, established child care setting, or other environment familiar
             244      to the child; and


             245          (ii) two hours on the holidays and in the years specified in Subsections 30-3-35 (2)(f)
             246      through [(i)] (j) preferably in the custodial home, the established child care setting, or other
             247      environment familiar to the child.
             248          (c) For children nine months of age or older, but younger than 12 months of age:
             249          (i) one eight hour visit per week to be specified by the noncustodial parent or court;
             250          (ii) one three hour visit per week to be specified by the noncustodial parent or court;
             251          (iii) eight hours on the holidays and in the years specified in Subsections 30-3-35 (2)(f)
             252      through [(i)] (j); and
             253          (iv) brief telephone contact and other virtual parent-time, if the equipment is
             254      reasonably available, with the noncustodial parent at least two times per week, provided that if
             255      the parties cannot agree on whether the equipment is reasonably available, the court shall
             256      decide whether the equipment for virtual parent-time is reasonably available, taking into
             257      consideration:
             258          (A) the best interests of the child;
             259          (B) each parent's ability to handle any additional expenses for virtual parent-time; and
             260          (C) any other factors the court considers material.
             261          (d) For children 12 months of age or older, but younger than 18 months of age:
             262          (i) one eight-hour visit per alternating weekend to be specified by the noncustodial
             263      parent or court;
             264          (ii) on opposite weekends from Subsection [(2)] (3)(d)(i), from 6 p.m. on Friday until
             265      noon on Saturday;
             266          (iii) one three-hour visit per week to be specified by the noncustodial parent or court;
             267          (iv) eight hours on the holidays and in the years specified in Subsections 30-3-35 (2)(f)
             268      through [(i)] (j); and
             269          (v) brief telephone contact and other virtual parent-time, if the equipment is reasonably
             270      available, with the noncustodial parent at least two times per week, provided that if the parties
             271      cannot agree on whether the equipment is reasonably available, the court shall decide whether
             272      the equipment for virtual parent-time is reasonably available, taking into consideration:
             273          (A) the best interests of the child;
             274          (B) each parent's ability to handle any additional expenses for virtual parent-time; and
             275          (C) any other factors the court considers material.


             276          (e) For children 18 months of age or older, but younger than three years of age:
             277          (i) one weekday evening between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to be specified by the
             278      noncustodial parent or court; however, if the child is being cared for during the day outside his
             279      regular place of residence, the noncustodial parent may, with advance notice to the custodial
             280      parent, pick up the child from the caregiver at an earlier time and return him to the custodial
             281      parent by 8:30 p.m.;
             282          (ii) alternative weekends beginning on the first weekend after the entry of the decree
             283      from 6 p.m. on Friday until 7 p.m. on Sunday continuing each year;
             284          (iii) parent-time on holidays as specified in Subsections 30-3-35 (2)(c) through [(i)] (j);
             285          (iv) extended parent-time may be:
             286          (A) two one-week periods, separated by at least four weeks, at the option of the
             287      noncustodial parent;
             288          (B) one week shall be uninterrupted time for the noncustodial parent;
             289          (C) the remaining week shall be subject to parent-time for the custodial parent
             290      consistent with these guidelines; and
             291          (D) the custodial parent shall have an identical one-week period of uninterrupted time
             292      for vacation; and
             293          (v) brief telephone contact and virtual parent-time, if the equipment is reasonably
             294      available, with the noncustodial parent at least two times per week, provided that if the parties
             295      cannot agree on whether the equipment is reasonably available, the court shall decide whether
             296      the equipment for virtual parent-time is reasonably available, taking into consideration:
             297          (A) the best interests of the child;
             298          (B) each parent's ability to handle any additional expenses for virtual parent-time; and
             299          (C) any other factors the court considers material.
             300          (f) For children three years of age or older, but younger than five years of age:
             301          (i) one weekday evening between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to be specified by the
             302      noncustodial parent or court; however, if the child is being cared for during the day outside his
             303      regular place of residence, the noncustodial parent may, with advance notice to the custodial
             304      parent, pick up the child from the caregiver at an earlier time and return him to the custodial
             305      parent by 8:30 p.m.;
             306          (ii) alternative weekends beginning on the first weekend after the entry of the decree


             307      from 6 p.m. on Friday until 7 p.m. on Sunday continuing each year;
             308          (iii) parent-time on holidays as specified in Subsections 30-3-35 (2)(c) through [(i)] (j);
             309          (iv) extended parent-time with the noncustodial parent may be:
             310          (A) two two-week periods, separated by at least four weeks, at the option of the
             311      noncustodial parent;
             312          (B) one two-week period shall be uninterrupted time for the noncustodial parent;
             313          (C) the remaining two-week period shall be subject to parent-time for the custodial
             314      parent consistent with these guidelines; and
             315          (D) the custodial parent shall have an identical two-week period of uninterrupted time
             316      for vacation; and
             317          (v) brief telephone contact and virtual parent-time, if the equipment is reasonably
             318      available, with the noncustodial parent at least two times per week, provided that if the parties
             319      cannot agree on whether the equipment is reasonably available, the court shall decide whether
             320      the equipment for virtual parent-time is reasonably available, taking into consideration:
             321          (A) the best interests of the child;
             322          (B) each parent's ability to handle any additional expenses for virtual parent-time; and
             323          (C) any other factors the court considers material.
             324          (4) A parent shall notify the other parent at least 30 days in advance of extended
             325      parent-time or vacation weeks.
             326          (5) Virtual parent-time shall be at reasonable hours and for reasonable duration.
             327          Section 4. Section 30-3-37 is amended to read:
             328           30-3-37. Relocation.
             329          (1) For purposes of this section, "relocation" means moving H. [ from the state or ] .H 150
             329a      miles
             330      or more from the residence specified in the court's decree.
             331          (2) The relocating parent shall provide, if possible, 60 days advance written notice of
             332      the intended relocation to the other parent. The written notice of relocation shall contain
             333      statements affirming the following:
             334          (a) the parent-time provisions in Subsection (5) or a schedule approved by both parties
             335      will be followed; and
             336          (b) neither parent will interfere with the other's parental rights pursuant to court
             337      ordered parent-time arrangements, or the schedule approved by both parties.


             338          (3) The court may, upon motion of any party or upon the court's own motion, schedule
             339      a hearing with notice to review the notice of relocation and parent-time schedule as provided in
             340      Section 30-3-35 and make appropriate orders regarding the parent-time and costs for
             341      parent-time transportation.
             342          (4) In determining the parent-time schedule and allocating the transportation costs, the
             343      court shall consider:
             344          (a) the reason for the parent's relocation;
             345          (b) the additional costs or difficulty to both parents in exercising parent-time;
             346          (c) the economic resources of both parents; and
             347          (d) other factors the court considers necessary and relevant.
             348          (5) Unless otherwise ordered by the court, upon the relocation, as defined in
             349      Subsection (1), of one of the parties the following schedule shall be the minimum requirements
             350      for parent-time with a school-age child:
             351          (a) in years ending in an odd number, the child shall spend the following holidays with
             352      the noncustodial parent:
             353          (i) Thanksgiving holiday beginning Wednesday until Sunday; and
             354          (ii) Spring break, if applicable, beginning the last day of school before the holiday until
             355      the day before school resumes;
             356          (b) in years ending in an even number, the child shall spend the following holidays
             357      with the noncustodial parent:
             358          (i) the entire winter school break period; and
             359          (ii) the Fall school break beginning the last day of school before the holiday until the
             360      day before school resumes;
             361          (c) extended parent-time equal to 1/2 of the summer or off-track time for consecutive
             362      weeks. The children should be returned to the custodial home no later than seven days before
             363      school begins; however, this week shall be counted when determining the amount of
             364      parent-time to be divided between the parents for the summer or off-track period; and
             365          (d) [at the option and expense of the noncustodial parent,] one weekend per month[.],
             366      at the option and expense of the noncustodial parent.
             367          (6) The noncustodial parent's monthly weekend entitlement is subject to the following
             368      restrictions.


             369          (a) If the noncustodial parent has not designated a specific weekend for parent-time,
             370      the noncustodial parent shall receive the last weekend of each month unless a holiday assigned
             371      to the custodial parent falls on that particular weekend. If a holiday assigned to the custodial
             372      parent falls on the last weekend of the month, the noncustodial parent shall be entitled to the
             373      next to the last weekend of the month.
             374          (b) If a noncustodial parent's extended parent-time or parent-time over a holiday
             375      extends into or through the first weekend of the next month, that weekend shall be considered
             376      the noncustodial parent's monthly weekend entitlement for that month.
             377          (c) If a child is out of school for teacher H. [ work ] development .H days H. [ , ] or .H              377a      snow days H. after the children begin the school year .H , or other days not
             378      included in the list of holidays in Subsection (5) and those days are contiguous with the
             379      noncustodial parent's monthly weekend parent-time, those days shall be included in the
             380      weekend parent-time.
             381          (7) The custodial parent is entitled to all parent-time not specifically allocated to the
             382      noncustodial parent.
             383          [(6)] (8) In the event finances and distance preclude the exercise of minimum
             384      parent-time for the noncustodial parent during the school year, the court should consider
             385      awarding more time for the noncustodial parent during the summer time if it is in the best
             386      interests of the children.
             387          [(7)] (9) Upon the motion of any party, the court may order uninterrupted parent-time
             388      with the noncustodial parent for a minimum of 30 days during extended parent-time, unless the
             389      court finds it is not in the best interests of the child. If the court orders uninterrupted
             390      parent-time during a period not covered by this section, it shall specify in its order which parent
             391      is responsible for the child's travel expenses.
             392          [(8)] (10) Unless otherwise ordered by the court the relocating party shall be
             393      responsible for all the child's travel expenses relating to Subsections (5)(a) and (b) and 1/2 of
             394      the child's travel expenses relating to Subsection (5)(c), provided the noncustodial parent is
             395      current on all support obligations. If the noncustodial parent has been found in contempt for
             396      not being current on all support obligations, the noncustodial parent shall be responsible for all
             397      of the child's travel expenses under Subsection (5), unless the court rules otherwise.
             398      Reimbursement by either responsible party to the other for the child's travel expenses shall be
             399      made within 30 days of receipt of documents detailing those expenses.


             400          [(9)] (11) The court may apply this provision to any preexisting decree of divorce.
             401          [(10)] (12) Any action under this section may be set for an expedited hearing.
             402          [(11)] (13) A parent who fails to comply with the notice of relocation in Subsection (2)
             403      shall be in contempt of the court's order.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 9-16-09 5:04 PM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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