Download Zipped Amended WordPerfect HB0278.ZIP
[Introduced][Status][Bill Documents][Fiscal Note][Bills Directory]

H.B. 278

This document includes House Committee Amendments incorporated into the bill on Wed, Jan 25, 2006 at 11:23 AM by chopkin. -->              1     

OUT-OF-STATE PARENT-TIME AMENDMENTS

             2     
2006 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Lorie D. Fowlke

             5     
Senate Sponsor: Lyle W. Hillyard

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill provides that the entire summer or off-track period be counted for purposes of
             10      determining the amount of parent-time to which an out-of-state parent is entitled.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    brings back in the last week before school starts as part of the time counted when
             14      determining the amount of parent-time to which an out-of-state parent is entitled.
             15      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             16          None
             17      Other Special Clauses:
             18          None
             19      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             20      AMENDS:
             21          30-3-37, as last amended by Chapter 288, Laws of Utah 2003
             22     
             23      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             24          Section 1. Section 30-3-37 is amended to read:
             25           30-3-37. Relocation.
             26          (1) When either parent decides to move from the state of Utah or 150 miles or more
             27      from the residence specified in the court's decree, that parent shall provide if possible 60 days


             28      advance written notice of the intended relocation to the other parent. The written notice of
             29      relocation shall contain statements affirming the following:
             30          (a) the parent-time provisions in Subsection (5) or a schedule approved by both parties
             31      will be followed; and
             32          (b) neither parent will interfere with the other's parental rights pursuant to court
             33      ordered parent-time arrangements, or the schedule approved by both parties.
             34          (2) The court may, upon motion of any party or upon the court's own motion, schedule
             35      a hearing with notice to review the notice of relocation and parent-time schedule as provided in
             36      Section 30-3-35 and make appropriate orders regarding the parent-time and costs for
             37      parent-time transportation.
             38          (3) In determining the parent-time schedule and allocating the transportation costs, the
             39      court shall consider:
             40          (a) the reason for the parent's relocation;
             41          (b) the additional costs or difficulty to both parents in exercising parent-time;
             42          (c) the economic resources of both parents; and
             43          (d) other factors the court considers necessary and relevant.
             44          (4) Upon the motion of any party, the court may order the parent intending to move to
             45      pay the costs of transportation for:
             46          (a) at least one visit per year with the other parent; and
             47          (b) any number of additional visits as determined equitable by the court.
             48          (5) Unless otherwise ordered by the court, upon the relocation of one of the parties the
             49      following schedule shall be the minimum requirements for parent-time with a school-age child:
             50          (a) in years ending in an odd number, the child shall spend the following holidays with
             51      the noncustodial parent:
             52          (i) Thanksgiving holiday beginning Wednesday until Sunday; and
             53          (ii) the fall school break, if applicable, beginning the last day of school before the
             54      holiday until the day before school resumes;
             55          (b) in years ending in an even number, the child shall spend the following holidays
             56      with the noncustodial parent:
             57          (i) the entire winter school break period; and
             58          (ii) Spring break beginning the last day of school before the holiday until the day


             59      before school resumes; and
             60          (c) extended parent-time equal to 1/2 of the summer or off-track time for consecutive
             61      weeks. The children should be returned to the custodial home H. [ the week ] no later than
             61a      sevendays .H before school begins
             62      [may not be counted as part of the summer period], however, this week shall be counted when
             63      determining the amount of parent-time to be divided between the parents for the summer or
             64      off-track period.
             65          (6) Upon the motion of any party, the court may order uninterrupted parent-time with
             66      the noncustodial parent for a minimum of 30 days during extended parent-time, unless the
             67      court finds it is not in the best interests of the child. If the court orders uninterrupted
             68      parent-time during a period not covered by this section, it shall specify in its order which parent
             69      is responsible for the child's travel expenses.
             70          (7) Unless otherwise ordered by the court the relocating party shall be responsible for
             71      all the child's travel expenses relating to Subsections (5)(a) and (b) and 1/2 of the child's travel
             72      expenses relating to Subsection (5)(c), provided the noncustodial party is current on all support
             73      obligations. If the noncustodial party has been found in contempt for not being current on all
             74      support obligations, he shall be responsible for all of the child's travel expenses under
             75      Subsection (5), unless the court rules otherwise. Reimbursement by either responsible party to
             76      the other for the child's travel expenses shall be made within 30 days of receipt of documents
             77      detailing those expenses.
             78          (8) The court may apply this provision to any preexisting decree of divorce.
             79          (9) Any action under this section may be set for an expedited hearing.
             80          (10) A parent who fails to comply with the notice of relocation in Subsection (1) shall
             81      be in contempt of the court's order.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 1-16-06 6:27 AM


Based on a limited legal review, this legislation has not been determined to have a high
probability of being held unconstitutional.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


[Bill Documents][Bills Directory]