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H.B. 71 Enrolled

             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      General Description:
             9          This bill rearranges some parent-time days, clarifies terms and requirements, and makes
             10      technical changes.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    changes the following parent-time days from even to odd years:
             14              .    July 4;
             15              .    Labor Day; and
             16              .    Fall Break;
             17          .    changes the following parent-time days from odd to even years:
             18              .    Memorial Day;
             19              .    July 24; and
             20              .    Halloween;
             21          .    allows for the election of an entire weekday by the noncustodial parent if school is
             22      not in session; and
             23          .    includes snow days, teacher development days, and other days when school is not in
             24      session in the definition of holidays.
             25      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             26          None
             27      Other Special Clauses:
             28          None
             29      Utah Code Sections Affected:


             30      AMENDS:
             31          30-3-32, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 287
             32          30-3-33, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2004, Chapters 132 and 321
             33          30-3-34, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2001, Chapter 255
             34          30-3-35, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 302
             35          30-3-35.5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 302
             36          30-3-37, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 195
             37     
             38      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             39          Section 1. Section 30-3-32 is amended to read:
             40           30-3-32. Parent-time -- Intent -- Policy -- Definitions.
             41          (1) It is the intent of the Legislature to promote parent-time at a level consistent with all
             42      parties' interests.
             43          (2) (a) A court shall consider as primary the safety and well-being of the child and the
             44      parent who is the victim of domestic or family violence.
             45          (b) Absent a showing by a preponderance of evidence of real harm or substantiated
             46      potential harm to the child:
             47          (i) it is in the best interests of the child of divorcing, divorced, or adjudicated parents to
             48      have frequent, meaningful, and continuing access to each parent following separation or
             49      divorce;
             50          (ii) each divorcing, separating, or adjudicated parent is entitled to and responsible for
             51      frequent, meaningful, and continuing access with his child consistent with the child's best
             52      interests; and
             53          (iii) it is in the best interests of the child to have both parents actively involved in
             54      parenting the child.
             55          (c) An order issued by a court pursuant to Title 30, Chapter 6, Cohabitant Abuse Act
             56      shall be considered evidence of real harm or substantiated potential harm to the child.
             57          (3) For purposes of Sections 30-3-32 through 30-3-37 :


             58          (a) "Child" means the child or children of divorcing, separating, or adjudicated parents.
             59          (b) "Christmas school vacation" means the time period beginning on the evening the
             60      child gets out of school for the Christmas or winter school break until the evening before the
             61      child returns to school[, except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day].
             62          (c) "Extended parent-time" means a period of parent-time other than a weekend,
             63      holiday as provided in Subsections 30-3-35 (2)(f) and (2)(g), religious holidays as provided in
             64      Subsections 30-3-33 (3) and [(15)](17), and "Christmas school vacation."
             65          (d) "Surrogate care" means care by any individual other than the parent of the child.
             66          (e) "Uninterrupted time" means parent-time exercised by one parent without
             67      interruption at any time by the presence of the other parent.
             68          [(d)] (f) "Virtual parent-time" means parent-time facilitated by tools such as telephone,
             69      email, instant messaging, video conferencing, and other wired or wireless technologies over the
             70      Internet or other communication media to supplement in-person visits between a noncustodial
             71      parent and a child or between a child and the custodial parent when the child is staying with the
             72      noncustodial parent. Virtual parent-time is designed to supplement, not replace, in-person
             73      parent-time.
             74          (4) If a parent relocates because of an act of domestic violence or family violence by the
             75      other parent, the court shall make specific findings and orders with regards to the application of
             76      Section 30-3-37 .
             77          Section 2. Section 30-3-33 is amended to read:
             78           30-3-33. Advisory guidelines.
             79          In addition to the parent-time schedules provided in Sections 30-3-35 and 30-3-35.5 , the
             80      following advisory guidelines are suggested to govern all parent-time arrangements between
             81      parents. [These advisory guidelines include:]
             82          (1) Parent-time schedules mutually agreed upon by both parents are preferable to a
             83      court-imposed solution[;].
             84          (2) The parent-time schedule shall be utilized to maximize the continuity and stability of
             85      the child's life[;].


             86          (3) Special consideration shall be given by each parent to make the child available to
             87      attend family functions including funerals, weddings, family reunions, religious holidays,
             88      important ceremonies, and other significant events in the life of the child or in the life of either
             89      parent which may inadvertently conflict with the parent-time schedule[;].
             90          (4) The responsibility for the pick up, delivery, and return of the child shall be
             91      determined by the court when the parent-time order is entered, and may be changed at any time
             92      a subsequent modification is made to the parent-time order[;].
             93          (5) If the noncustodial parent will be providing transportation, the custodial parent shall
             94      have the child ready for parent-time at the time the child is to be picked up and shall be present
             95      at the custodial home or shall make reasonable alternate arrangements to receive the child at the
             96      time the child is returned[;].
             97          (6) If the custodial parent will be transporting the child, the noncustodial parent shall be
             98      at the appointed place at the time the noncustodial parent is to receive the child, and have the
             99      child ready to be picked up at the appointed time and place, or have made reasonable alternate
             100      arrangements for the custodial parent to pick up the child[;].
             101          (7) Regular school hours may not be interrupted for a school-age child for the exercise
             102      of parent-time by either parent[;].
             103          (8) The court may make alterations in the parent-time schedule to reasonably
             104      accommodate the work schedule of both parents and may increase the parent-time allowed to
             105      the noncustodial parent but shall not diminish the standardized parent-time provided in Sections
             106      30-3-35 and 30-3-35.5 [;].
             107          (9) The court may make alterations in the parent-time schedule to reasonably
             108      accommodate the distance between the parties and the expense of exercising parent-time[;].
             109          (10) Neither parent-time nor child support is to be withheld due to either parent's failure
             110      to comply with a court-ordered parent-time schedule[;].
             111          (11) The custodial parent shall notify the noncustodial parent within 24 hours of
             112      receiving notice of all significant school, social, sports, and community functions in which the
             113      child is participating or being honored, and the noncustodial parent shall be entitled to attend


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


             142      30-3-35 and 30-3-35.5 , the parents should consider if an upward deviation for parent-time with
             143      all the minor children so that parent-time is uniform between school aged and nonschool aged
             144      children, is appropriate.
             145          Section 3. Section 30-3-34 is amended to read:
             146           30-3-34. Best interests -- Rebuttable presumption.
             147          (1) If the parties are unable to agree on a parent-time schedule, the court may establish
             148      a parent-time schedule consistent with the best interests of the child.
             149          (2) The advisory guidelines as provided in Section 30-3-33 and the parent-time
             150      schedule as provided in Sections 30-3-35 and 30-3-35.5 shall be presumed to be in the best
             151      interests of the child. The parent-time schedule shall be considered the minimum parent-time to
             152      which the noncustodial parent and the child shall be entitled unless a parent can establish
             153      otherwise by a preponderance of the evidence that more or less parent-time should be awarded
             154      based upon any of the following criteria:
             155          (a) parent-time would endanger the child's physical health or significantly impair the
             156      child's emotional development;
             157          (b) the distance between the residency of the child and the noncustodial parent;
             158          (c) a substantiated or unfounded allegation of child abuse has been made;
             159          (d) the lack of demonstrated parenting skills without safeguards to ensure the child's
             160      well-being during parent-time;
             161          (e) the financial inability of the noncustodial parent to provide adequate food and
             162      shelter for the child during periods of parent-time;
             163          (f) the preference of the child if the court determines the child to be of sufficient
             164      maturity;
             165          (g) the incarceration of the noncustodial parent in a county jail, secure youth
             166      corrections facility, or an adult corrections facility;
             167          (h) shared interests between the child and the noncustodial parent;
             168          (i) the involvement or lack of involvement of the noncustodial parent in the school,
             169      community, religious, or other related activities of the child;


             170          (j) the availability of the noncustodial parent to care for the child when the custodial
             171      parent is unavailable to do so because of work or other circumstances;
             172          (k) a substantial and chronic pattern of missing, canceling, or denying regularly
             173      scheduled parent-time;
             174          (l) the minimal duration of and lack of significant bonding in the parents' relationship
             175      prior to the conception of the child;
             176          (m) the parent-time schedule of siblings;
             177          (n) the lack of reasonable alternatives to the needs of a nursing child; and
             178          (o) any other criteria the court determines relevant to the best interests of the child.
             179          (3) The court shall enter the reasons underlying its order for parent-time that:
             180          (a) incorporates a parent-time schedule provided in Section 30-3-35 or 30-3-35.5 ; or
             181          (b) provides more or less parent-time than a parent-time schedule provided in Section
             182      30-3-35 or 30-3-35.5 .
             183          (4) Once the parent-time schedule has been established, the parties may not alter the
             184      schedule except by mutual consent of the parties or a court order.
             185          Section 4. Section 30-3-35 is amended to read:
             186           30-3-35. Minimum schedule for parent-time for children 5 to 18 years of age.
             187          (1) The parent-time schedule in this section applies to children 5 to 18 years of age.
             188          (2) If the parties do not agree to a parent-time schedule, the following schedule shall be
             189      considered the minimum parent-time to which the noncustodial parent and the child shall be
             190      entitled[:].
             191          (a) (i) [one] (A) One weekday evening to be specified by the noncustodial parent or the
             192      court, or Wednesday evening if not specified, from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.; [or]
             193          [(ii)] (B) at the election of the noncustodial parent, one weekday from the time the
             194      child's school is regularly dismissed until 8:30 p.m., unless the court directs the application of
             195      Subsection (2)(a)(i); or
             196          (C) at the election of the noncustodial parent, if school is not in session, one weekday
             197      from approximately 9 a.m., accommodating the custodial parent's work schedule, until 8:30


             198      p.m. if the noncustodial parent is available to be with the child, unless the court directs the
             199      application of Subsection (2)(a)(i)(A) or (2)(a)(i)(B).
             200          (ii) Once the election of the weekday for the weekday evening parent-time is made, it
             201      may not be changed except by mutual written agreement or court order.
             202          (b) (i) [alternating] (A) Alternating weekends beginning on the first weekend after the
             203      entry of the decree from 6 p.m. on Friday until 7 p.m. on Sunday continuing each year; [or]
             204          [(ii)] (B) at the election of the noncustodial parent, from the time the child's school is
             205      regularly dismissed on Friday until 7 p.m. on Sunday, unless the court directs the application of
             206      Subsection (2)(b)(i)(A); or
             207          [(c) holidays]
             208          (C) at the election of the noncustodial parent, if school is not in session, on Friday from
             209      approximately 9 a.m., accommodating the custodial parent's work schedule, until 7 p.m. on
             210      Sunday, if the noncustodial parent is available to be with the child unless the court directs the
             211      application of Subsection (2)(b)(i)(A) or (2)(b)(i)(B).
             212          (ii) A step-parent, grandparent, or other responsible adult designated by the
             213      noncustodial parent, may pick up the child if the custodial parent is aware of the identity of the
             214      individual, and the parent will be with the child by 7 p.m.
             215          (iii) Elections should be made by the noncustodial parent at the time of entry of the
             216      divorce decree or court order, and may be changed by mutual agreement, court order, or by the
             217      noncustodial parent in the event of a change in the child's schedule.
             218          (iv) Weekends include any "snow" days, teacher development days, or other days when
             219      school is not scheduled and which are contiguous to the weekend period.
             220          (c) Holidays include any "snow" days, teacher development days, or other days when
             221      school is not scheduled, contiguous to the holiday period, and take precedence over the
             222      weekend parent-time[, and changes]. Changes may not be made to the regular rotation of the
             223      alternating weekend parent-time schedule; however, birthdays take precedence over holidays
             224      and extended parent-time, except Mother's Day and Father's Day; birthdays do not take
             225      precedence over uninterrupted parent-time if the parent exercising uninterrupted time takes the


             226      child away from that parent's residence for the uninterrupted extended parent-time.
             227          (d) If a holiday falls on a regularly scheduled school day, the noncustodial parent shall
             228      be responsible for the child's attendance at school for that school day[;].
             229          (e) (i) [if] If a holiday falls on a weekend or on a Friday or Monday and the total
             230      holiday period extends beyond that time so that the child is free from school and the parent is
             231      free from work, the noncustodial parent shall be entitled to this lengthier holiday period[; or].
             232          (ii) [at] (A) At the election of the noncustodial parent, parent-time over a scheduled
             233      holiday weekend may begin from the time the child's school is regularly dismissed at the
             234      beginning of the holiday weekend until 7 p.m. on the last day of the holiday weekend; or
             235          (B) at the election of the noncustodial parent, if school is not in session, parent-time
             236      over a scheduled holiday weekend may begin at approximately 9 a.m., accommodating the
             237      custodial parent's work schedule, the first day of the holiday weekend until 7 p.m. on the last
             238      day of the holiday weekend, if the noncustodial parent is available to be with the child unless the
             239      court directs the application of Subsection (2)(e)(ii)(A).
             240          (iii) A step-parent, grandparent, or other responsible individual designated by the
             241      noncustodial parent, may pick up the child if the custodial parent is aware of the identity of the
             242      individual, and the parent will be with the child by 7 p.m.
             243          (iv) Elections should be made by the noncustodial parent at the time of the divorce
             244      decree or court order, and may be changed by mutual agreement, court order, or by the
             245      noncustodial parent in the event of a change in the child's schedule.
             246          (f) In years ending in an odd number, the noncustodial parent is entitled to the following
             247      holidays:
             248          (i) child's birthday on the day before or after the actual birthdate beginning at 3 p.m.
             249      until 9 p.m.; at the discretion of the noncustodial parent, he may take other siblings along for the
             250      birthday;
             251          (ii) Martin Luther King, Jr. beginning 6 p.m. on Friday until Monday at 7 p.m. unless
             252      the holiday extends for a lengthier period of time to which the noncustodial parent is completely
             253      entitled;


             254          (iii) spring break beginning at 6 p.m. on the day school lets out for the holiday until 7
             255      p.m. on the Sunday before school resumes;
             256          [(iv) Memorial Day beginning 6 p.m. on Friday until Monday at 7 p.m., unless the
             257      holiday extends for a lengthier period of time to which the noncustodial parent is completely
             258      entitled;]
             259          [(v) July 24th beginning 6 p.m. on the day before the holiday until 11 p.m. on the
             260      holiday;]
             261          [(vi) Halloween on October 31 or the day Halloween is traditionally celebrated in the
             262      local community from after school until 9 p.m. if on a school day, or from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m.;]
             263          [(vii) Veteran's Day holiday beginning 6 p.m. the day before the holiday until 7 p.m. on
             264      the holiday; and]
             265          (iv) July 4 beginning 6 p.m. the day before the holiday until 11 p.m. or no later than 6
             266      p.m. on the day following the holiday, at the option of the parent exercising the holiday;
             267          (v) Labor Day beginning 6 p.m. on Friday until Monday at 7 p.m., unless the holiday
             268      extends for a lengthier period of time to which the noncustodial parent is completely entitled;
             269          (vi) the fall school break, if applicable, commonly known as U.E.A. weekend beginning
             270      at 6 p.m. on Wednesday until Sunday at 7 p.m. unless the holiday extends for a lengthier period
             271      of time to which the noncustodial parent is completely entitled;
             272          (vii) Veteran's Day holiday beginning 6 p.m. the day before the holiday until 7 p.m. on
             273      the holiday; and
             274          (viii) the first portion of the Christmas school vacation as defined in Subsection
             275      30-3-32 (3)(b) [plus] including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day until 1 p.m. on the day
             276      halfway through the holiday, if there are an odd number of days for the holiday period, or until 7
             277      p.m. if there are an even number of days for the holiday period, so long as the entire holiday is
             278      equally divided[;].
             279          (g) In years ending in an even number, the noncustodial parent is entitled to the
             280      following holidays:
             281          (i) child's birthday on actual birthdate beginning at 3 p.m. until 9 p.m.; at the discretion


             282      of the noncustodial parent, he may take other siblings along for the birthday;
             283          (ii) [Washington and Lincoln] President's Day beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday until 7 p.m.
             284      on Monday unless the holiday extends for a lengthier period of time to which the noncustodial
             285      parent is completely entitled;
             286          [(iii) July 4th beginning at 6 p.m. the day before the holiday until 11 p.m. on the
             287      holiday;]
             288          [(iv) Labor Day beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday until Monday at 7 p.m. unless the holiday
             289      extends for a lengthier period of time to which the noncustodial parent is completely entitled;]
             290          (iii) Memorial Day beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday until Monday at 7 p.m., unless the
             291      holiday extends for a lengthier period of time to which the noncustodial parent is completely
             292      entitled;
             293          (iv) July 24 beginning at 6 p.m. on the day before the holiday until 11 p.m. or no later
             294      than 6 p.m. on the day following the holiday, at the option of the parent exercising the holiday;
             295          (v) Columbus Day beginning at 6 p.m. the day before the holiday until 7 p.m. on the
             296      holiday;
             297          (vi) Halloween on October 31 or the day Halloween is traditionally 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) the fall school break, if applicable, commonly known as U.E.A. weekend beginning
             300      at 6 p.m. on Wednesday until Sunday at 7 p.m. unless the holiday extends for a lengthier period
             301      of time to which the noncustodial parent is completely entitled;]
             302          [(vi) Columbus Day beginning at 6 p.m. the day before the holiday until 7 p.m. on the
             303      holiday;]
             304          (vii) Thanksgiving holiday beginning Wednesday at 7 p.m. until Sunday at 7 p.m.; and
             305          (viii) the second portion of the Christmas school vacation[, including New Year's Day,]
             306      as defined in Subsection 30-3-32 (3)(b) [plus Christmas day beginning at 1 p.m. until 9 p.m.],
             307      beginning 1 p.m. on the day halfway through the holiday, if there are an odd number of days for
             308      the holiday period, or at 7 p.m. if there are an even number of days for the holiday period, so
             309      long as the entire Christmas holiday is equally divided[;].


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


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


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


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


             422          (C) any other factors the court considers material[; and].
             423          (f) For children three years of age or older, but younger than five years of age:
             424          (i) one weekday evening between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to be specified by the
             425      noncustodial parent or court; however, if the child is being cared for during the day outside his
             426      regular place of residence, the noncustodial parent may, with advance notice to the custodial
             427      parent, pick up the child from the caregiver at an earlier time and return him to the custodial
             428      parent by 8:30 p.m.;
             429          (ii) alternative weekends beginning on the first weekend after the entry of the decree
             430      from 6 p.m. on Friday until 7 p.m. on Sunday continuing each year;
             431          (iii) parent-time on holidays as specified in Subsections 30-3-35 (2)(c) through (i);
             432          (iv) extended parent-time with the noncustodial parent may be:
             433          (A) two two-week periods, separated by at least four weeks, at the option of the
             434      noncustodial parent;
             435          (B) one two-week period shall be uninterrupted time for the noncustodial parent;
             436          (C) the remaining two-week period shall be subject to parent-time for the custodial
             437      parent consistent with these guidelines; and
             438          (D) the custodial parent shall have an identical two-week period of uninterrupted time
             439      for vacation; and
             440          (v) brief telephone contact and virtual parent-time, if the equipment is reasonably
             441      available, with the noncustodial parent at least two times per week, provided that if the parties
             442      cannot agree on whether the equipment is reasonably available, the court shall decide whether
             443      the equipment for virtual parent-time is reasonably available, taking into consideration:
             444          (A) the best interests of the child;
             445          (B) each parent's ability to handle any additional expenses for virtual parent-time; and
             446          (C) any other factors the court considers material.
             447          [(3)] (4) A parent shall notify the other parent at least 30 days in advance of extended
             448      parent-time or vacation weeks.
             449          [(4)] (5) Virtual parent-time shall be at reasonable hours and for reasonable duration.


             450          Section 6. Section 30-3-37 is amended to read:
             451           30-3-37. Relocation.
             452          (1) [When either parent decides to move] For purposes of this section, "relocation"
             453      means moving from the state [of Utah] or 150 miles or more from the residence specified in the
             454      court's decree[, that].
             455          (2) The relocating parent shall provide, if possible, 60 days advance written notice of
             456      the intended relocation to the other parent. The written notice of relocation shall contain
             457      statements affirming the following:
             458          (a) the parent-time provisions in Subsection (5) or a schedule approved by both parties
             459      will be followed; and
             460          (b) neither parent will interfere with the other's parental rights pursuant to court ordered
             461      parent-time arrangements, or the schedule approved by both parties.
             462          [(2)] (3) The court may, upon motion of any party or upon the court's own motion,
             463      schedule a hearing with notice to review the notice of relocation and parent-time schedule as
             464      provided in Section 30-3-35 and make appropriate orders regarding the parent-time and costs
             465      for parent-time transportation.
             466          [(3)] (4) In determining the parent-time schedule and allocating the transportation costs,
             467      the court shall consider:
             468          (a) the reason for the parent's relocation;
             469          (b) the additional costs or difficulty to both parents in exercising parent-time;
             470          (c) the economic resources of both parents; and
             471          (d) other factors the court considers necessary and relevant.
             472          [(4) Upon the motion of any party, the court may order the parent intending to move to
             473      pay the costs of transportation for:]
             474          [(a) at least one visit per year with the other parent; and]
             475          [(b) any number of additional visits as determined equitable by the court.]
             476          (5) Unless otherwise ordered by the court, upon the relocation, as defined in Subsection
             477      (1), of one of the parties the following schedule shall be the minimum requirements for


             478      parent-time with a school-age child:
             479          (a) in years ending in an odd number, the child shall spend the following holidays with
             480      the noncustodial parent:
             481          (i) Thanksgiving holiday beginning Wednesday until Sunday; and
             482          (ii) [the fall school] Spring break, if applicable, beginning the last day of school before
             483      the holiday until the day before school resumes;
             484          (b) in years ending in an even number, the child shall spend the following holidays with
             485      the noncustodial parent:
             486          (i) the entire winter school break period; and
             487          (ii) [Spring] the Fall school break beginning the last day of school before the holiday
             488      until the day before school resumes; [and]
             489          (c) extended parent-time equal to 1/2 of the summer or off-track time for consecutive
             490      weeks. The children should be returned to the custodial home no later than seven days before
             491      school begins; however, this week shall be counted when determining the amount of parent-time
             492      to be divided between the parents for the summer or off-track period[.]; and
             493          (d) at the option and expense of the noncustodial parent, one weekend per month.
             494          (6) In the event finances and distance preclude the exercise of minimum parent-time for
             495      the noncustodial parent during the school year, the court should consider awarding more time
             496      for the noncustodial parent during the summer time if it is in the best interests of the children.
             497          [(6)] (7) Upon the motion of any party, the court may order uninterrupted parent-time
             498      with the noncustodial parent for a minimum of 30 days during extended parent-time, unless the
             499      court finds it is not in the best interests of the child. If the court orders uninterrupted
             500      parent-time during a period not covered by this section, it shall specify in its order which parent
             501      is responsible for the child's travel expenses.
             502          [(7)] (8) Unless otherwise ordered by the court the relocating party shall be responsible
             503      for all the child's travel expenses relating to Subsections (5)(a) and (b) and 1/2 of the child's
             504      travel expenses relating to Subsection (5)(c), provided the noncustodial [party] parent is current
             505      on all support obligations. If the noncustodial [party] parent has been found in contempt for not


             506      being current on all support obligations, [he] the noncustodial parent shall be responsible for all
             507      of the child's travel expenses under Subsection (5), unless the court rules otherwise.
             508      Reimbursement by either responsible party to the other for the child's travel expenses shall be
             509      made within 30 days of receipt of documents detailing those expenses.
             510          [(8)] (9) The court may apply this provision to any preexisting decree of divorce.
             511          [(9)] (10) Any action under this section may be set for an expedited hearing.
             512          [(10)] (11) A parent who fails to comply with the notice of relocation in Subsection
             513      [(1)] (2) shall be in contempt of the court's order.


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