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H.B. 71

This document includes House Floor Amendments incorporated into the bill on Fri, Jan 25, 2008 at 2:58 PM by ddonat. --> This document includes Senate Committee Amendments incorporated into the bill on Thu, Jan 31, 2008 at 9:43 AM by rday. --> This document includes Senate 2nd Reading Floor Amendments incorporated into the bill on Fri, Feb 8, 2008 at 1:17 PM by rday. --> This document includes Senate 3rd Reading Floor Amendments incorporated into the bill on Mon, Feb 11, 2008 at 4:36 PM by smaeser. -->              1     

PARENT-TIME AMENDMENTS

             2     
2008 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Lorie D. Fowlke

             5     
Senate Sponsor: Gregory S. Bell

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      Committee Note:
             9          The Judiciary Interim Committee recommended this bill.
             10      General Description:
             11          This bill rearranges some parent-time days, clarifies terms and requirements, and makes
             12      technical changes.
             13      Highlighted Provisions:
             14          This bill:
             15          .    changes the following parent-time days from even to odd years:
             16              .    July 4;
             17              .    Labor Day; H. and
             18              . [ Thanksgiving ] Fall Break .H ; H. [ and
             19              .    second portion of Christmas break;
] .H

             20          .    changes the following parent-time days from odd to even years:
             21              .    Memorial Day;
             22              .    July 24; H. and .H
             23              .    Halloween; H. [ and
             24              .    first portion of Christmas break;
             25          .    eliminates the following parent-time days:
             26              .    Columbus Day; and
             27              .    Veteran's Day;
] .H


             28          .    allows for the election of an entire weekday by the noncustodial parent if school is
             29      not in session; and
             30          .    includes snow days, teacher development days, and other days when school is not in
             31      session in the definition of holidays.
             32      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             33          None
             34      Other Special Clauses:
             35          None
             36      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             37      AMENDS:
             38          30-3-32, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 287
             39          30-3-33, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2004, Chapters 132 and 321
             40          30-3-34, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2001, Chapter 255
             41          30-3-35, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 302
             42          30-3-35.5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 302
             43          30-3-37, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 195
             44     
             45      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             46          Section 1. Section 30-3-32 is amended to read:
             47           30-3-32. Parent-time -- Intent -- Policy -- Definitions.
             48          (1) It is the intent of the Legislature to promote parent-time at a level consistent with
             49      all parties' interests.
             50          (2) (a) A court shall consider as primary the safety and well-being of the child and the
             51      parent who is the victim of domestic or family violence.
             52          (b) Absent a showing by a preponderance of evidence of real harm or substantiated
             53      potential harm to the child:
             54          (i) it is in the best interests of the child of divorcing, divorced, or adjudicated parents to
             55      have frequent, meaningful, and continuing access to each parent following separation or
             56      divorce;
             57          (ii) each divorcing, separating, or adjudicated parent is entitled to and responsible for
             58      frequent, meaningful, and continuing access with his child consistent with the child's best


             59      interests; and
             60          (iii) it is in the best interests of the child to have both parents actively involved in
             61      parenting the child.
             62          (c) An order issued by a court pursuant to Title 30, Chapter 6, Cohabitant Abuse Act
             63      shall be considered evidence of real harm or substantiated potential harm to the child.
             64          (3) For purposes of Sections 30-3-32 through 30-3-37 :
             65          (a) "Child" means the child or children of divorcing, separating, or adjudicated parents.
             66          (b) "Christmas school vacation" means the time period beginning on the evening the
             67      child gets out of school for the Christmas or winter school break until the evening before the
             68      child returns to school[, except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day].
             69          (c) "Extended parent-time" means a period of parent-time other than a weekend,
             70      holiday as provided in Subsections 30-3-35 (2)(f) and (2)(g), religious holidays as provided in
             71      Subsections 30-3-33 (3) and [(15)](17), and "Christmas school vacation."
             72          (d) "Surrogate care" means care by any individual other than the parent of the child.
             73          (e) "Uninterrupted time" means parent-time exercised by one parent without
             74      interruption at any time by the presence of the other parent S. [ , or by telephone from the other
             75      parent if the child is over the age of five years; however, the child may call the other parent if
             76      they desire to do so at reasonable hours and for reasonable duration
] .S
.
             77          [(d)] (f) "Virtual parent-time" means parent-time facilitated by tools such as telephone,
             78      email, instant messaging, video conferencing, and other wired or wireless technologies over the
             79      Internet or other communication media to supplement in-person visits between a noncustodial
             80      parent and a child or between a child and the custodial parent when the child is staying with the
             81      noncustodial parent. Virtual parent-time is designed to supplement, not replace, in-person
             82      parent-time.
             83          (4) If a parent relocates because of an act of domestic violence or family violence by
             84      the other parent, the court shall make specific findings and orders with regards to the
             85      application of Section 30-3-37 .
             86          Section 2. Section 30-3-33 is amended to read:
             87           30-3-33. Advisory guidelines.
             88          In addition to the parent-time schedules provided in Sections 30-3-35 and 30-3-35.5 ,
             89      the following advisory guidelines are suggested to govern all parent-time arrangements


             90      between parents. [These advisory guidelines include:]
             91          (1) Parent-time schedules mutually agreed upon by both parents are preferable to a
             92      court-imposed solution[;].
             93          (2) The parent-time schedule shall be utilized to maximize the continuity and stability
             94      of the child's life[;].
             95          (3) Special consideration shall be given by each parent to make the child available to
             96      attend family functions including funerals, weddings, family reunions, religious holidays,
             97      important ceremonies, and other significant events in the life of the child or in the life of either
             98      parent which may inadvertently conflict with the parent-time schedule[;].
             99          (4) The responsibility for the pick up, delivery, and return of the child shall be
             100      determined by the court when the parent-time order is entered, and may be changed at any time
             101      a subsequent modification is made to the parent-time order[;].
             102          (5) If the noncustodial parent will be providing transportation, the custodial parent
             103      shall have the child ready for parent-time at the time the child is to be picked up and shall be
             104      present at the custodial home or shall make reasonable alternate arrangements to receive the
             105      child at the time the child is returned[;].
             106          (6) If the custodial parent will be transporting the child, the noncustodial parent shall
             107      be at the appointed place at the time the noncustodial parent is to receive the child, and have
             108      the child ready to be picked up at the appointed time and place, or have made reasonable
             109      alternate arrangements for the custodial parent to pick up the child[;].
             110          (7) Regular school hours may not be interrupted for a school-age child for the exercise
             111      of parent-time by either parent[;].
             112          (8) The court may make alterations in the parent-time schedule to reasonably
             113      accommodate the work schedule of both parents and may increase the parent-time allowed to
             114      the noncustodial parent but shall not diminish the standardized parent-time provided in
             115      Sections 30-3-35 and 30-3-35.5 [;].
             116          (9) The court may make alterations in the parent-time schedule to reasonably
             117      accommodate the distance between the parties and the expense of exercising parent-time[;].
             118          (10) Neither parent-time nor child support is to be withheld due to either parent's
             119      failure to comply with a court-ordered parent-time schedule[;].
             120          (11) The custodial parent shall notify the noncustodial parent within 24 hours of


             121      receiving notice of all significant school, social, sports, and community functions in which the
             122      child is participating or being honored, and the noncustodial parent shall be entitled to attend
             123      and participate fully[;].
             124          (12) The noncustodial parent shall have access directly to all school reports including
             125      preschool and daycare reports and medical records and shall be notified immediately by the
             126      custodial parent in the event of a medical emergency[;].
             127          (13) Each parent shall provide the other with his current address and telephone
             128      number, email address, and other virtual parent-time access information within 24 hours of any
             129      change[;].
             130          (14) Each parent shall permit and encourage, during reasonable hours, reasonable and
             131      uncensored communications with the child, in the form of mail privileges and virtual
             132      parent-time if the equipment is reasonably available, provided that if the parties cannot agree
             133      on whether the equipment is reasonably available, the court shall decide whether the equipment
             134      for virtual parent-time is reasonably available, taking into consideration:
             135          (a) the best interests of the child;
             136          (b) each parent's ability to handle any additional expenses for virtual parent-time; and
             137          (c) any other factors the court considers material[;].
             138          (15) Parental care shall be presumed to be better care for the child than surrogate care
             139      and the court shall encourage the parties to cooperate in allowing the noncustodial parent, if
             140      willing and able to transport the children, to provide the child care[;]. S. Child care arrangements
             140a      existing during the marriage are preferred as are child care arrangements with nominal or no
             140b      charge. .S
             141          (16) Each parent shall provide all surrogate care providers with the name, current
             142      address, and telephone number of the other parent and shall provide the noncustodial parent
             143      with the name, current address, and telephone number of all surrogate care providers unless the
             144      court for good cause orders otherwise[; and].
             145          (17) Each parent shall be entitled to an equal division of major religious holidays
             146      celebrated by the parents, and the parent who celebrates a religious holiday that the other parent
             147      does not celebrate shall have the right to be together with the child on the religious holiday.
             148          (18) If the child is on a different parent-time schedule than a sibling, based on Sections
             149      30-3-35 and 30-3-35.5 , the parents should consider if an upward deviation for parent-time with
             150      all the minor children so that parent-time is uniform between school aged and nonschool aged
             151      children, is appropriate.


             152          Section 3. Section 30-3-34 is amended to read:
             153           30-3-34. Best interests -- Rebuttable presumption.
             154          (1) If the parties are unable to agree on a parent-time schedule, the court may establish
             155      a parent-time schedule consistent with the best interests of the child.
             156          (2) The advisory guidelines as provided in Section 30-3-33 and the parent-time
             157      schedule as provided in Sections 30-3-35 and 30-3-35.5 shall be presumed to be in the best
             158      interests of the child. The parent-time schedule shall be considered the minimum parent-time
             159      to which the noncustodial parent and the child shall be entitled unless a parent can establish
             160      otherwise by a preponderance of the evidence that more or less parent-time should be awarded
             161      based upon any of the following criteria:
             162          (a) parent-time would endanger the child's physical health or significantly impair the
             163      child's emotional development;
             164          (b) the distance between the residency of the child and the noncustodial parent;
             165          (c) a substantiated or unfounded allegation of child abuse has been made;
             166          (d) the lack of demonstrated parenting skills without safeguards to ensure the child's
             167      well-being during parent-time;
             168          (e) the financial inability of the noncustodial parent to provide adequate food and
             169      shelter for the child during periods of parent-time;
             170          (f) the preference of the child if the court determines the child to be of sufficient
             171      maturity;
             172          (g) the incarceration of the noncustodial parent in a county jail, secure youth
             173      corrections facility, or an adult corrections facility;
             174          (h) shared interests between the child and the noncustodial parent;
             175          (i) the involvement or lack of involvement of the noncustodial parent in the school,
             176      community, religious, or other related activities of the child;
             177          (j) the availability of the noncustodial parent to care for the child when the custodial
             178      parent is unavailable to do so because of work or other circumstances;
             179          (k) a substantial and chronic pattern of missing, canceling, or denying regularly
             180      scheduled parent-time;
             181          (l) the minimal duration of and lack of significant bonding in the parents' relationship
             182      prior to the conception of the child;


             183          (m) the parent-time schedule of siblings;
             184          (n) the lack of reasonable alternatives to the needs of a nursing child; and
             185          (o) any other criteria the court determines relevant to the best interests of the child.
             186          (3) The court shall enter the reasons underlying its order for parent-time that:
             187          (a) incorporates a parent-time schedule provided in Section 30-3-35 or 30-3-35.5 ; or
             188          (b) provides more or less parent-time than a parent-time schedule provided in Section
             189      30-3-35 or 30-3-35.5 .
             190          (4) Once the parent-time schedule has been established, the parties may not alter the
             191      schedule except by mutual consent of the parties or a court order.
             192          Section 4. Section 30-3-35 is amended to read:
             193           30-3-35. Minimum schedule for parent-time for children 5 to 18 years of age.
             194          (1) The parent-time schedule in this section applies to children 5 to 18 years of age.
             195          (2) If the parties do not agree to a parent-time schedule, the following schedule shall be
             196      considered the minimum parent-time to which the noncustodial parent and the child shall be
             197      entitled[:].
             198          (a) (i) [one] (A) One weekday evening to be specified by the noncustodial parent or
             199      the court, or Wednesday evening if not specified, from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.; [or]
             200          [(ii)] (B) at the election of the noncustodial parent, one weekday from the time the
             201      child's school is regularly dismissed until 8:30 p.m., unless the court directs the application of
             202      Subsection (2)(a)(i); or
             203          (C) at the election of the noncustodial parent, if school is not in session, one weekday
             204      from approximately 9 a.m., accommodating the custodial parent's work schedule, until 8:30
             205      p.m. if the noncustodial parent is available to be with the child, unless the court directs the
             206      application of Subsection (2)(a)(i)(A) or (2)(a)(i)(B).
             207          (ii) Once the election of the weekday for the weekday evening parent-time is made, it
             208      may not be changed except by mutual written agreement or court order.
             209          (b) (i) [alternating] (A) Alternating weekends beginning on the first weekend after the
             210      entry of the decree from 6 p.m. on Friday until 7 p.m. on Sunday continuing each year; [or]
             211          [(ii)] (B) at the election of the noncustodial parent, from the time the child's school is
             212      regularly dismissed on Friday until 7 p.m. on Sunday, unless the court directs the application of
             213      Subsection (2)(b)(i)(A); or


             214          [(c) holidays]
             215          (C) at the election of the noncustodial parent, if school is not in session, on Friday from
             216      approximately 9 a.m., accommodating the custodial parent's work schedule, until 7 p.m. on
             217      Sunday, if the noncustodial parent is available to be with the child unless the court directs the
             218      application of Subsection (2)(b)(i)(A) or (2)(b)(i)(B).
             219          (ii) A step-parent, grandparent, or other responsible adult designated by the
             220      noncustodial parent, may pick up the child if the H. [ school ] custodial parent .H is aware of the
             220a      identity of the
             221      individual, and the parent will be with the child by S. [ 6 ] 7 .S p.m.
             222          (iii) Elections should be made by the noncustodial parent at the time of entry of the
             223      divorce decree or court order S. , and may be changed by mutual agreement [ or ] , court order , or
             223a      by the noncustodial parent in the event of a change in the child's schedule.S .
             224          (iv) Weekends include any "snow" days, teacher development days, or other days when
             225      school is not scheduled and which are contiguous to the weekend period.
             226          (c) Holidays include any "snow" days, teacher development days, or other days when
             227      school is not scheduled, contiguous to the holiday period, and take precedence over the
             228      weekend parent-time[, and changes]. Changes may not be made to the regular rotation of the
             229      alternating weekend parent-time schedule; however, birthdays take precedence over holidays
             230      and extended parent-time, except Mother's Day and Father's Day; birthdays do not take
             231      precedence over uninterrupted parent-time if the parent exercising uninterrupted time takes the
             232      child away from that parent's residence for the uninterrupted extended parent-time.
             233          (d) If a holiday falls on a regularly scheduled school day, the noncustodial parent shall
             234      be responsible for the child's attendance at school for that school day[;].
             235          (e) (i) [if] If a holiday falls on a weekend or on a Friday or Monday and the total
             236      holiday period extends beyond that time so that the child is free from school and the parent is
             237      free from work, the noncustodial parent shall be entitled to this lengthier holiday period[; or].
             238          (ii) [at] (A) At the election of the noncustodial parent, parent-time over a scheduled
             239      holiday weekend may begin from the time the child's school is regularly dismissed at the
             240      beginning of the holiday weekend until 7 p.m. on the last day of the holiday weekend; or
             241          (B) at the election of the noncustodial parent, if school is not in session, parent-time
             242      over a scheduled holiday weekend may begin at approximately 9 a.m., accommodating the
             243      custodial parent's work schedule, the first day of the holiday weekend until 7 p.m. on the last
             244      day of the holiday weekend, if the noncustodial parent is available to be with the child unless


             245      the court directs the application of Subsection (2)(e)(ii)(A).
             246          (iii) A step-parent, grandparent, or other responsible individual designated by the
             247      noncustodial parent, may pick up the child if the H. [ school ] custodial parent .H is aware of the
             247a      identity of the
             248      individual, and the parent will be with the child by S. [ 6 ] 7 .S p.m.
             249          (iv) Elections should be made by the noncustodial parent at the time of the divorce
             250      decree or court order S. , and may be changed by mutual agreement [ or ] , court order , or
             250a      by the noncustodial parent in the event of a change in the child's schedule .S .
             251          (f) In years ending in an odd number, the noncustodial parent is entitled to the
             252      following holidays:
             253          (i) child's birthday on the day before or after the actual birthdate beginning at 3 p.m.
             254      until 9 p.m.; at the discretion of the noncustodial parent, he may take other siblings along for
             255      the birthday;
             256          (ii) Martin Luther King, Jr. beginning 6 p.m. on Friday until Monday at 7 p.m. unless
             257      the holiday extends for a lengthier period of time to which the noncustodial parent is
             258      completely entitled;
             259          (iii) spring break beginning at 6 p.m. on the day school lets out for the holiday until 7
             260      p.m. on the Sunday before school resumes;
             261          [(iv) Memorial Day beginning 6 p.m. on Friday until Monday at 7 p.m., unless the
             262      holiday extends for a lengthier period of time to which the noncustodial parent is completely
             263      entitled;]
             264          [(v) July 24th beginning 6 p.m. on the day before the holiday until 11 p.m. on the
             265      holiday;]
             266          [(vi) Halloween on October 31 or the day Halloween is traditionally celebrated in the
             267      local community from after school until 9 p.m. if on a school day, or from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m.;]
             268          [(vii) Veteran's Day holiday beginning 6 p.m. the day before the holiday until 7 p.m. on
             269      the holiday; and]
             270          (iv) July 4 beginning 6 p.m. the day before the holiday until 11 p.m. or no later than 6
             271      p.m. on the day following the holiday, at the option of the parent exercising the holiday;
             272          (v) Labor Day beginning 6 p.m. on Friday until Monday at 7 p.m., unless the holiday
             273      extends for a lengthier period of time to which the noncustodial parent is completely entitled;
             273a      H. (vi) the fall school break, if applicable, commonly known as U.E.A. weekend beginning
             273b      at 6 p.m. on Wednesday until Sunday at 7 p.m. unless the holiday extands for a lengthier
             273c      period of time to which the noncustodial parent is completely entitled;
             273d          (vii) Veteran's Day holiday beginning 6 p.m. the day before the holiday until 7 p.m. on
             273e      the holiday; and
             274           [ (vi) Thanksgiving beginning Wednesday at 7 p.m. until Sunday at 7 p.m.; and ]
             275           [ [ ] (viii) the first [ ] ] [ (vii) the second ] .H portion of the Christmas school vacation
             275a      H. [ [ ] as defined in


             276      Subsection 30-3-32 (3)(b)
[ plus ] including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day until 1
             276a      p.m. [ ] ] [ beginning at 1
             277      p.m. ] .H on the day halfway through the holiday, if there are an odd number of days for the holiday
             278      period, or H. [ at ] until .H 7 p.m. if there are an even number of days for the holiday period, so
             278a      long as the
             279      entire holiday is equally divided[;].
             280          (g) In years ending in an even number, the noncustodial parent is entitled to the
             281      following holidays:
             282          (i) child's birthday on actual birthdate beginning at 3 p.m. until 9 p.m.; at the discretion
             283      of the noncustodial parent, he may take other siblings along for the birthday;
             284          (ii) [Washington and Lincoln] President's Day beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday until 7
             285      p.m. on Monday unless the holiday extends for a lengthier period of time to which the
             286      noncustodial parent is completely entitled;
             287          [(iii) July 4th beginning at 6 p.m. the day before the holiday until 11 p.m. on the
             288      holiday;]
             289          [(iv) Labor Day beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday until Monday at 7 p.m. unless the
             290      holiday extends for a lengthier period of time to which the noncustodial parent is completely
             291      entitled;]
             292          (iii) Memorial Day beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday until Monday at 7 p.m., unless the
             293      holiday extends for a lengthier period of time to which the noncustodial parent is completely
             294      entitled;
             295          (iv) July 24 beginning at 6 p.m. on the day before the holiday until 11 p.m. or no later
             296      than 6 p.m. on the day following the holiday, at the option of the parent exercising the holiday;
             296a           H. (v) Columbus Day beginning at 6 p.m. the day before the holiday until 7 p.m. on the
             296b      holiday;
             297          [ (v) ] (vi) .H Halloween on October 31 or the day Halloween is traditionally
             297a      celebrated in the
             298      local community from after school until 9 p.m. if on a school day, or from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m.;
             299          [(v)] H. [ (vi) the fall school break, if applicable, commonly known as U.E.A. weekend
             300      beginning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday until Sunday at 7 p.m. unless the holiday extends for a
             301      lengthier period of time to which the noncustodial parent is completely entitled; and
] .H

             302          [(vi) Columbus Day beginning at 6 p.m. the day before the holiday until 7 p.m. on the
             303      holiday;]
             304           H. [ [ ] (vii) Thanksgiving holiday beginning Wednesday at 7 p.m. until Sunday
             304a      at 7 p.m.;
             305      and [ ] ]
             306           [ [ ] (viii) the second [ ] ] [ (vii) the first ] .H portion of the Christmas school vacation[,
             306a      including


             307      New Year's Day,] as defined in Subsection 30-3-32 (3)(b) [plus Christmas day beginning at 1
             308      p.m. until 9 p.m.], H. [ including Christmas Eve and Christmas day until ] beginning .H 1 p.m. on
             308a      the day halfway
             309      through the holiday, if there are an odd number of days for the holiday period, or H. [ until ]
             309a      at .H 7 p.m. if
             310      there are an even number of days for the holiday period, so long as the entire Christmas holiday
             311      is equally divided[;].
             312          (h) The custodial parent is entitled to the odd year holidays in even years and the even
             313      year holidays in odd years[;].
             314          (i) Father's Day shall be spent with the natural or adoptive father every year beginning
             315      at 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. on the holiday[;].
             316          (j) Mother's Day shall be spent with the natural or adoptive mother every year
             317      beginning at 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. on the holiday[;].
             318          (k) Extended parent-time with the noncustodial parent may be:
             319          (i) up to four weeks consecutive at the option of the noncustodial parent, including
             320      weekends normally exercised by the noncustodial parent, but not holidays;
             321          (ii) two weeks shall be uninterrupted time for the noncustodial parent; and
             322          (iii) the remaining two weeks shall be subject to parent-time for the custodial parent
             323      [consistent with these guidelines;] for weekday parent-time but not weekends, except for a
             324      holiday to be exercised by the other parent.
             325          (l) The custodial parent shall have an identical two-week period of uninterrupted time
             326      during the children's summer vacation from school for purposes of vacation[;].
             327          [(m) If the child is enrolled in year-round school, the noncustodial parent's extended
             328      parent-time shall be 1/2 of the vacation time for year-round school breaks, provided the
             329      custodial parent has holiday and phone visits;.]
             330          [(n)] (m) Both parents shall provide notification of extended parent-time or vacation
             331      weeks with the child [shall be provided] at least 30 days in advance to the other parent[; and]
             332      and if notification is not provided timely the complying parent may determine the schedule for
             333      extended parent-time for the noncomplying parent.
             334          [(o) Telephone contact and other virtual]
             335          (n) Telephone contact shall be at reasonable hours and for a reasonable duration.
             336          (o) Virtual parent-time, if the equipment is reasonably available S. and the parents reside
             336a      at least 100 miles apart .S , shall be at reasonable
             337      hours and for reasonable duration, provided that if the parties cannot agree on whether the


             338      equipment is reasonably available, the court shall decide whether the equipment for virtual
             339      parent-time is reasonably available, taking into consideration:
             340          (i) the best interests of the child;
             341          (ii) each parent's ability to handle any additional expenses for virtual parent-time; and
             342          (iii) any other factors the court considers material.
             343          (3) Any elections required to be made in accordance with this section by either parent
             344      concerning parent-time shall be made a part of the decree and made a part of the parent-time
             345      order.
             346          (4) Notwithstanding Subsection (2)(e)(i), the Halloween holiday may not be extended
             347      beyond the hours designated in Subsection (2)[(f)](g)(vi).
             348          Section 5. Section 30-3-35.5 is amended to read:
             349           30-3-35.5. Minimum schedule for parent-time for children under five years of
             350      age.
             351          (1) The parent-time schedule in this section applies to children under five years old.
             352          (2) All holidays in this section refer to the same holidays referenced in Section
             353      30-3-35 .
             354          [(2)] (3) If the parties do not agree to a parent-time schedule, the following schedule
             355      shall be considered the minimum parent-time to which the noncustodial parent and the child
             356      shall be entitled[:].
             357          (a) For children under five months of age:
             358          (i) six hours of parent-time per week to be specified by the court or the noncustodial
             359      parent preferably:
             360          (A) divided into three parent-time periods; and
             361          (B) in the custodial home, established child care setting, or other environment familiar
             362      to the child; and
             363          (ii) two hours on holidays and in the years specified in Subsections 30-3-35 (2)(f)
             364      through (i) preferably in the custodial home, the established child care setting, or other
             365      environment familiar to the child[;].
             366          (b) For children five months of age or older, but younger than [ten] nine months of age:
             367          (i) nine hours of parent-time per week to be specified by the court or the noncustodial
             368      parent preferably:


             369          (A) divided into three parent-time periods; and
             370          (B) in the custodial home, established child care setting, or other environment familiar
             371      to the child; and
             372          (ii) two hours on the holidays and in the years specified in Subsections 30-3-35 (2)(f)
             373      through (i) preferably in the custodial home, the established child care setting, or other
             374      environment familiar to the child[;].
             375          (c) For children nine months of age or older, but younger than 12 months of age:
             376          (i) one eight hour visit per week to be specified by the noncustodial parent or court;
             377          (ii) one three hour visit per week to be specified by the noncustodial parent or court;
             378          (iii) eight hours on the holidays and in the years specified in Subsections 30-3-35 (2)(f)
             379      through (i); and
             380          (iv) brief telephone contact and other virtual parent-time, if the equipment is
             381      reasonably available, with the noncustodial parent at least two times per week, provided that if
             382      the parties cannot agree on whether the equipment is reasonably available, the court shall
             383      decide whether the equipment for virtual parent-time is reasonably available, taking into
             384      consideration:
             385          (A) the best interests of the child;
             386          (B) each parent's ability to handle any additional expenses for virtual parent-time; and
             387          (C) any other factors the court considers material[;].
             388          (d) For children 12 months of age or older, but younger than 18 months of age:
             389          (i) one eight-hour visit per alternating weekend to be specified by the noncustodial
             390      parent or court;
             391          (ii) on opposite weekends from Subsection (2)(d)(i), from 6 p.m. on Friday until noon
             392      on Saturday;
             393          (iii) one three-hour visit per week to be specified by the noncustodial parent or court;
             394          (iv) eight hours on the holidays and in the years specified in Subsections 30-3-35 (2)(f)
             395      through (i); and
             396          (v) brief telephone contact and other virtual parent-time, if the equipment is reasonably
             397      available, with the noncustodial parent at least two times per week, provided that if the parties
             398      cannot agree on whether the equipment is reasonably available, the court shall decide whether
             399      the equipment for virtual parent-time is reasonably available, taking into consideration:


             400          (A) the best interests of the child;
             401          (B) each parent's ability to handle any additional expenses for virtual parent-time; and
             402          (C) any other factors the court considers material[;].
             403          (e) For children 18 months of age or older, but younger than three years of age:
             404          (i) one weekday evening between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to be specified by the
             405      noncustodial parent or court; however, if the child is being cared for during the day outside his
             406      regular place of residence, the noncustodial parent may, with advance notice to the custodial
             407      parent, pick up the child from the caregiver at an earlier time and return him to the custodial
             408      parent by 8:30 p.m.;
             409          (ii) alternative weekends beginning on the first weekend after the entry of the decree
             410      from 6 p.m. on Friday until 7 p.m. on Sunday continuing each year;
             411          (iii) parent-time on holidays as specified in Subsections 30-3-35 (2)(c) through (i);
             412          (iv) extended parent-time may be:
             413          (A) two one-week periods, separated by at least four weeks, at the option of the
             414      noncustodial parent;
             415          (B) one week shall be uninterrupted time for the noncustodial parent;
             416          (C) the remaining week shall be subject to parent-time for the custodial parent
             417      consistent with these guidelines; and
             418          (D) the custodial parent shall have an identical one-week period of uninterrupted time
             419      for vacation; and
             420          (v) brief telephone contact and virtual parent-time, if the equipment is reasonably
             421      available, with the noncustodial parent at least two times per week, provided that if the parties
             422      cannot agree on whether the equipment is reasonably available, the court shall decide whether
             423      the equipment for virtual parent-time is reasonably available, taking into consideration:
             424          (A) the best interests of the child;
             425          (B) each parent's ability to handle any additional expenses for virtual parent-time; and
             426          (C) any other factors the court considers material[; and].
             427          (f) For children three years of age or older, but younger than five years of age:
             428          (i) one weekday evening between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to be specified by the
             429      noncustodial parent or court; however, if the child is being cared for during the day outside his
             430      regular place of residence, the noncustodial parent may, with advance notice to the custodial


             431      parent, pick up the child from the caregiver at an earlier time and return him to the custodial
             432      parent by 8:30 p.m.;
             433          (ii) alternative weekends beginning on the first weekend after the entry of the decree
             434      from 6 p.m. on Friday until 7 p.m. on Sunday continuing each year;
             435          (iii) parent-time on holidays as specified in Subsections 30-3-35 (2)(c) through (i);
             436          (iv) extended parent-time with the noncustodial parent may be:
             437          (A) two two-week periods, separated by at least four weeks, at the option of the
             438      noncustodial parent;
             439          (B) one two-week period shall be uninterrupted time for the noncustodial parent;
             440          (C) the remaining two-week period shall be subject to parent-time for the custodial
             441      parent consistent with these guidelines; and
             442          (D) the custodial parent shall have an identical two-week period of uninterrupted time
             443      for vacation; and
             444          (v) brief telephone contact and virtual parent-time, if the equipment is reasonably
             445      available, with the noncustodial parent at least two times per week, provided that if the parties
             446      cannot agree on whether the equipment is reasonably available, the court shall decide whether
             447      the equipment for virtual parent-time is reasonably available, taking into consideration:
             448          (A) the best interests of the child;
             449          (B) each parent's ability to handle any additional expenses for virtual parent-time; and
             450          (C) any other factors the court considers material.
             451          [(3)] (4) A parent shall notify the other parent at least 30 days in advance of extended
             452      parent-time or vacation weeks.
             453          [(4)] (5) Virtual parent-time shall be at reasonable hours and for reasonable duration.
             454          Section 6. Section 30-3-37 is amended to read:
             455           30-3-37. Relocation.
             456          (1) H. For purposes of this section, "relocation" means moving [ When either parent
             456a      decides to move ] .H from the state [of Utah] or 150 miles or more
             457      from the residence specified in the court's decree H. . [ , that ]
             457a      (2) The relocating .H parent shall provide H. , .H if possible H. , .H 60 days
             458      advance written notice of the intended relocation to the other parent. The written notice of
             459      relocation shall contain statements affirming the following:
             460          (a) the parent-time provisions in Subsection H. [ [ ] (5) [ ] ] [ (4) ] .H or a
             460a      schedule approved by both
             461      parties will be followed; and


             462          (b) neither parent will interfere with the other's parental rights pursuant to court
             463      ordered parent-time arrangements, or the schedule approved by both parties.
             464           H. [ (2) ] (3) .H The court may, upon motion of any party or upon the court's own motion,
             464a      schedule
             465      a hearing with notice to review the notice of relocation and parent-time schedule as provided in
             466      Section 30-3-35 and make appropriate orders regarding the parent-time and costs for
             467      parent-time transportation.
             468           H. [ (3) ] (4) .H In determining the parent-time schedule and allocating the transportation
             468a      costs, the
             469      court shall consider:
             470          (a) the reason for the parent's relocation;
             471          (b) the additional costs or difficulty to both parents in exercising parent-time;
             472          (c) the economic resources of both parents; and
             473          (d) other factors the court considers necessary and relevant.
             474          [(4) Upon the motion of any party, the court may order the parent intending to move to
             475      pay the costs of transportation for:]
             476          [(a) at least one visit per year with the other parent; and]
             477          [(b) any number of additional visits as determined equitable by the court.]
             478           H. [ [ ] (5) [ ] ] [ (4) ] .H Unless otherwise ordered by the court, upon the relocation, as
             478a      defined in
             479      Subsection (1), of one of the parties the following schedule shall be the minimum requirements
             480      for parent-time with a school-age child:
             481          (a) in years ending in an odd number, the child shall spend the following holidays with
             482      the noncustodial parent:
             483          (i) Thanksgiving holiday beginning Wednesday until Sunday; and
             484          (ii) [the fall school] Spring break, if applicable, beginning the last day of school before
             485      the holiday until the day before school resumes;
             486          (b) in years ending in an even number, the child shall spend the following holidays
             487      with the noncustodial parent:
             488          (i) the entire winter school break period; and
             489          (ii) [Spring] the Fall school break beginning the last day of school before the holiday
             490      until the day before school resumes; [and]
             491          (c) extended parent-time equal to 1/2 of the summer or off-track time for consecutive
             492      weeks. The children should be returned to the custodial home no later than seven days before


             493      school begins; however, this week shall be counted when determining the amount of
             494      parent-time to be divided between the parents for the summer or off-track period[.]; and
             495          (d) at the option and expense of the noncustodial parent, one weekend per month.
             495a      H. (6) In the event finances and distance preclude the exercise of minimum parent-time
             495b      for the noncustodial parent during the school year, the court should consider awarding more
             495c      time for the noncustodial parent during the summer time if it is in the best interests of the
             495d      children.
             496           [ (6) ] (7) .H Upon the motion of any party, the court may order uninterrupted
             496a      parent-time with
             497      the noncustodial parent for a minimum of 30 days during extended parent-time, unless the
             498      court finds it is not in the best interests of the child. If the court orders uninterrupted
             499      parent-time during a period not covered by this section, it shall specify in its order which parent
             500      is responsible for the child's travel expenses.
             501           H. [ (7) ] (8) .H Unless otherwise ordered by the court the relocating party shall be
             501a      responsible for
             502      all the child's travel expenses relating to Subsections H. [ [ ] (5) [ ] ] [ (4) ] .H (a) and (b) and
             502a      1/2 of the child's
             503      travel expenses relating to Subsection H. [ [ ] (5) [ ] ] [ (4) ] .H (c), provided the noncustodial
             503a      [party] parent is
             504      current on all support obligations. If the noncustodial [party] parent has been found in
             505      contempt for not being current on all support obligations, [he] the noncustodial parent shall be
             506      responsible for all of the child's travel expenses under Subsection H. [ [ ] (5) [ ] ] [ (4) ] .H ,
             506a      unless the court
             507      rules otherwise. Reimbursement by either responsible party to the other for the child's travel
             508      expenses shall be made within 30 days of receipt of documents detailing those expenses.
             509           H. [ (8) ] (9) .H The court may apply this provision to any preexisting decree of divorce.
             510           H. [ (9) ] (10) .H Any action under this section may be set for an expedited hearing.
             511           H. [ (10) ] (11) .H A parent who fails to comply with the notice of relocation in Subsection
             511a      H. [ (1) ] (2) .H shall
             512      be in contempt of the court's order.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 11-19-07 10:11 AM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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