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H.B. 16 Enrolled
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7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill clarifies provisions relating to parent-time when the parents live more than
10 150 miles from each other, and specific holiday issues.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 . clarifies provisions relating to parent-time when Section 30-3-37 applies including:
14 . that the noncustodial parent is entitled to only one weekend per month;
15 . that the last weekend of the month is designated as the noncustodial parent's
16 weekend if no other designation is made and a holiday assigned to the custodial
17 parent does not fall on that weekend;
18 . that nonschool days, if contiguous to the noncustodial parent's weekend and
19 not a holiday, are to be included in the weekend; and
20 . that the custodial parent is entitled to all parent-time not specifically allocated
21 to the noncustodial parent;
22 . specifies that extended parent-time is to be exercised when school is not in session;
23 . adds in references to Mother's Day for parent-time for children under five years of
24 age; and
25 . makes technical corrections.
26 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
27 None
28 Other Special Clauses:
29 None
30 Utah Code Sections Affected:
31 AMENDS:
32 30-3-10.4, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 179
33 30-3-35, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 146
34 30-3-35.5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 146
35 30-3-37, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 146
36
37 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
38 Section 1. Section 30-3-10.4 is amended to read:
39 30-3-10.4. Modification or termination of order.
40 (1) On the petition of one or both of the parents, or the joint legal or physical
41 custodians if they are not the parents, the court may, after a hearing, modify or terminate an
42 order that established joint legal or physical custody if:
43 (a) the verified petition or accompanying affidavit initially alleges that admissible
44 evidence will show that the circumstances of the child or one or both parents or joint legal or
45 physical custodians have materially and substantially changed since the entry of the order to
46 be modified;
47 (b) a modification of the terms and conditions of the order would be an improvement
48 for and in the best interest of the child; and
49 (c) (i) both parents have complied in good faith with the dispute resolution procedure
50 in accordance with Subsection 30-3-10.3 (7); or
51 (ii) if no dispute resolution procedure is contained in the order that established joint
52 legal or physical custody, the court orders the parents to participate in a dispute resolution
53 procedure in accordance with Subsection 30-3-10.2 (5) unless the parents certify that, in good
54 faith, they have utilized a dispute resolution procedure to resolve their dispute.
55 (2) (a) In determining whether the best interest of a child will be served by either
56 modifying or terminating the joint legal or physical custody order, the court shall, in addition
57 to other factors the court considers relevant, consider the factors outlined in Section 30-3-10
58 and Subsection 30-3-10.2 (2).
59 (b) The court shall make specific written findings on each of the factors relied upon
60 stating:
61 (i) a material and substantial change of circumstance has occurred; and
62 (ii) a modification of the terms and conditions of the order would be an improvement
63 for and in the best interest of the child.
64 (c) The court shall give substantial weight to the existing joint legal or physical
65 custody order when the child is thriving, happy, and well-adjusted.
66 (3) The court shall, in every case regarding a [
67 joint legal or physical custody order, consider reasonable alternatives to preserve the existing
68 order in accordance with Subsection 30-3-10 (1)(b). The court may modify the terms and
69 conditions of the existing order in accordance with Subsection 30-3-10 (5) and may order the
70 parents to file a parenting plan in accordance with this chapter.
71 (4) A parent requesting a modification from sole custody to joint legal custody or joint
72 physical custody or both, or any other type of shared parenting arrangement, shall file and
73 serve a proposed parenting plan with the petition to modify in accordance with Section
74 30-3-10.8 .
75 (5) If the court finds that an action under this section is filed or answered frivolously
76 and in a manner designed to harass the other party, the court shall assess attorney fees as costs
77 against the offending party.
78 Section 2. Section 30-3-35 is amended to read:
79 30-3-35. Minimum schedule for parent-time for children 5 to 18 years of age.
80 (1) The parent-time schedule in this section applies to children 5 to 18 years of age.
81 (2) If the parties do not agree to a parent-time schedule, the following schedule shall
82 be considered the minimum parent-time to which the noncustodial parent and the child shall
83 be entitled.
84 (a) (i) (A) One weekday evening to be specified by the noncustodial parent or the
85 court, or Wednesday evening if not specified, from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.;
86 (B) at the election of the noncustodial parent, one weekday from the time the child's
87 school is regularly dismissed until 8:30 p.m., unless the court directs the application of
88 Subsection (2)(a)(i); or
89 (C) at the election of the noncustodial parent, if school is not in session, one weekday
90 from approximately 9 a.m., accommodating the custodial parent's work schedule, until 8:30
91 p.m. if the noncustodial parent is available to be with the child, unless the court directs the
92 application of Subsection (2)(a)(i)(A) or (2)(a)(i)(B).
93 (ii) Once the election of the weekday for the weekday evening parent-time is made, it
94 may not be changed except by mutual written agreement or court order.
95 (b) (i) (A) Alternating weekends beginning on the first weekend after the entry of the
96 decree from 6 p.m. on Friday until 7 p.m. on Sunday continuing each year;
97 (B) at the election of the noncustodial parent, from the time the child's school is
98 regularly dismissed on Friday until 7 p.m. on Sunday, unless the court directs the application
99 of Subsection (2)(b)(i)(A); or
100 (C) at the election of the noncustodial parent, if school is not in session, on Friday
101 from approximately 9 a.m., accommodating the custodial parent's work schedule, until 7 p.m.
102 on Sunday, if the noncustodial parent is available to be with the child unless the court directs
103 the application of Subsection (2)(b)(i)(A) or (2)(b)(i)(B).
104 (ii) A step-parent, grandparent, or other responsible adult designated by the
105 noncustodial parent, may pick up the child if the custodial parent is aware of the identity of
106 the individual, and the parent will be with the child by 7 p.m.
107 (iii) Elections should be made by the noncustodial parent at the time of entry of the
108 divorce decree or court order, and may be changed by mutual agreement, court order, or by the
109 noncustodial parent in the event of a change in the child's schedule.
110 (iv) Weekends include any "snow" days, teacher development days, or other days
111 when school is not scheduled and which are contiguous to the weekend period.
112 (c) Holidays include any "snow" days, teacher development days after the children
113 begin the school year, or other days when school is not scheduled, contiguous to the holiday
114 period, and take precedence over the weekend parent-time. Changes may not be made to the
115 regular rotation of the alternating weekend parent-time schedule; however, birthdays take
116 precedence over holidays and extended parent-time, except Mother's Day and Father's Day;
117 birthdays do not take precedence over uninterrupted parent-time if the parent exercising
118 uninterrupted time takes the child away from that parent's residence for the uninterrupted
119 extended parent-time.
120 (d) If a holiday falls on a regularly scheduled school day, the noncustodial parent shall
121 be responsible for the child's attendance at school for that school day.
122 (e) (i) If a holiday falls on a weekend or on a Friday or Monday and the total holiday
123 period extends beyond that time so that the child is free from school and the parent is free
124 from work, the noncustodial parent shall be entitled to this lengthier holiday period.
125 (ii) (A) At the election of the noncustodial parent, parent-time over a scheduled
126 holiday weekend may begin from the time the child's school is regularly dismissed at the
127 beginning of the holiday weekend until 7 p.m. on the last day of the holiday weekend; or
128 (B) at the election of the noncustodial parent, if school is not in session, parent-time
129 over a scheduled holiday weekend may begin at approximately 9 a.m., accommodating the
130 custodial parent's work schedule, the first day of the holiday weekend until 7 p.m. on the last
131 day of the holiday weekend, if the noncustodial parent is available to be with the child unless
132 the court directs the application of Subsection (2)(e)(ii)(A).
133 (iii) A step-parent, grandparent, or other responsible individual designated by the
134 noncustodial parent, may pick up the child if the custodial parent is aware of the identity of
135 the individual, and the parent will be with the child by 7 p.m.
136 (iv) Elections should be made by the noncustodial parent at the time of the divorce
137 decree or court order, and may be changed by mutual agreement, court order, or by the
138 noncustodial parent in the event of a change in the child's schedule.
139 (f) In years ending in an odd number, the noncustodial parent is entitled to the
140 following holidays:
141 (i) child's birthday on the day before or after the actual birthdate beginning at 3 p.m.
142 until 9 p.m.; at the discretion of the noncustodial parent, he may take other siblings along for
143 the birthday;
144 (ii) Martin Luther King, Jr. beginning 6 p.m. on Friday until Monday at 7 p.m. unless
145 the holiday extends for a lengthier period of time to which the noncustodial parent is
146 completely entitled;
147 (iii) spring break beginning at 6 p.m. on the day school lets out for the holiday until 7
148 p.m. on the Sunday before school resumes;
149 (iv) July 4 beginning 6 p.m. the day before the holiday until 11 p.m. or no later than 6
150 p.m. on the day following the holiday, at the option of the parent exercising the holiday;
151 (v) Labor Day beginning 6 p.m. on Friday until Monday at 7 p.m., unless the holiday
152 extends for a lengthier period of time to which the noncustodial parent is completely entitled;
153 (vi) the fall school break, if applicable, commonly known as U.E.A. weekend
154 beginning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday until Sunday at 7 p.m. unless the holiday extends for a
155 lengthier period of time to which the noncustodial parent is completely entitled;
156 (vii) Veteran's Day holiday beginning 6 p.m. the day before the holiday until 7 p.m. on
157 the holiday; and
158 (viii) the first portion of the Christmas school vacation as defined in Subsection
159 30-3-32 (3)(b) including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, continuing until 1 p.m. on the day
160 halfway through the holiday period, if there are an odd number of days for the holiday period,
161 or until 7 p.m. if there are an even number of days for the holiday period, so long as the entire
162 holiday period is equally divided.
163 (g) In years ending in an even number, the noncustodial parent is entitled to the
164 following holidays:
165 (i) child's birthday on actual birthdate beginning at 3 p.m. until 9 p.m.; at the
166 discretion of the noncustodial parent, he may take other siblings along for the birthday;
167 (ii) President's Day beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday until 7 p.m. on Monday unless the
168 holiday extends for a lengthier period of time to which the noncustodial parent is completely
169 entitled;
170 (iii) Memorial Day beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday until Monday at 7 p.m., unless the
171 holiday extends for a lengthier period of time to which the noncustodial parent is completely
172 entitled;
173 (iv) July 24 beginning at 6 p.m. on the day before the holiday until 11 p.m. or no later
174 than 6 p.m. on the day following the holiday, at the option of the parent exercising the holiday;
175 (v) Columbus Day beginning at 6 p.m. the day before the holiday until 7 p.m. on the
176 holiday;
177 (vi) Halloween on October 31 or the day Halloween is traditionally celebrated in the
178 local community from after school until 9 p.m. if on a school day, or from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m.;
179 (vii) Thanksgiving holiday beginning Wednesday at 7 p.m. until Sunday at 7 p.m.;
180 and
181 (viii) the second portion of the Christmas school vacation as defined in Subsection
182 30-3-32 (3)(b), beginning 1 p.m. on the day halfway through the holiday period, if there are an
183 odd number of days for the holiday period, or at 7 p.m. if there are an even number of days for
184 the holiday period, so long as the entire Christmas holiday period is equally divided.
185 (h) The custodial parent is entitled to the odd year holidays in even years and the even
186 year holidays in odd years.
187 (i) Father's Day shall be spent with the natural or adoptive father every year beginning
188 at 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. on the holiday.
189 (j) Mother's Day shall be spent with the natural or adoptive mother every year
190 beginning at 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. on the holiday.
191 (k) Extended parent-time with the noncustodial parent may be:
192 (i) up to four [
193 the noncustodial parent, including weekends normally exercised by the noncustodial parent,
194 but not holidays;
195 (ii) two weeks shall be uninterrupted time for the noncustodial parent; and
196 (iii) the remaining two weeks shall be subject to parent-time for the custodial parent
197 for weekday parent-time but not weekends, except for a holiday to be exercised by the other
198 parent.
199 (l) The custodial parent shall have an identical two-week period of uninterrupted time
200 [
201 vacation.
202 (m) Both parents shall provide notification of extended parent-time or vacation weeks
203 with the child at least 30 days [
204 other parent and if notification is not provided timely the complying parent may determine the
205 schedule for extended parent-time for the noncomplying parent.
206 (n) Telephone contact shall be at reasonable hours and for a reasonable duration.
207 (o) Virtual parent-time, if the equipment is reasonably available and the parents reside
208 at least 100 miles apart, shall be at reasonable hours and for reasonable duration, provided that
209 if the parties cannot agree on whether the equipment is reasonably available, the court shall
210 decide whether the equipment for virtual parent-time is reasonably available, taking into
211 consideration:
212 (i) the best interests of the child;
213 (ii) each parent's ability to handle any additional expenses for virtual parent-time; and
214 (iii) any other factors the court considers material.
215 (3) Any elections required to be made in accordance with this section by either parent
216 concerning parent-time shall be made a part of the decree and made a part of the parent-time
217 order.
218 (4) Notwithstanding Subsection (2)(e)(i), the Halloween holiday may not be extended
219 beyond the hours designated in Subsection (2)(g)(vi).
220 Section 3. Section 30-3-35.5 is amended to read:
221 30-3-35.5. Minimum schedule for parent-time for children under five years of
222 age.
223 (1) The parent-time schedule in this section applies to children under five years old.
224 (2) All holidays in this section refer to the same holidays referenced in Section
225 30-3-35 .
226 (3) If the parties do not agree to a parent-time schedule, the following schedule shall
227 be considered the minimum parent-time to which the noncustodial parent and the child shall
228 be entitled.
229 (a) For children under five months of age:
230 (i) six hours of parent-time per week to be specified by the court or the noncustodial
231 parent preferably:
232 (A) divided into three parent-time periods; and
233 (B) in the custodial home, established child care setting, or other environment familiar
234 to the child; and
235 (ii) two hours on holidays and in the years specified in Subsections 30-3-35 (2)(f)
236 through [
237 environment familiar to the child.
238 (b) For children five months of age or older, but younger than nine months of age:
239 (i) nine hours of parent-time per week to be specified by the court or the noncustodial
240 parent preferably:
241 (A) divided into three parent-time periods; and
242 (B) in the custodial home, established child care setting, or other environment familiar
243 to the child; and
244 (ii) two hours on the holidays and in the years specified in Subsections 30-3-35 (2)(f)
245 through [
246 environment familiar to the child.
247 (c) For children nine months of age or older, but younger than 12 months of age:
248 (i) one eight hour visit per week to be specified by the noncustodial parent or court;
249 (ii) one three hour visit per week to be specified by the noncustodial parent or court;
250 (iii) eight hours on the holidays and in the years specified in Subsections 30-3-35 (2)(f)
251 through [
252 (iv) brief telephone contact and other virtual parent-time, if the equipment is
253 reasonably available, with the noncustodial parent at least two times per week, provided that if
254 the parties cannot agree on whether the equipment is reasonably available, the court shall
255 decide whether the equipment for virtual parent-time is reasonably available, taking into
256 consideration:
257 (A) the best interests of the child;
258 (B) each parent's ability to handle any additional expenses for virtual parent-time; and
259 (C) any other factors the court considers material.
260 (d) For children 12 months of age or older, but younger than 18 months of age:
261 (i) one eight-hour visit per alternating weekend to be specified by the noncustodial
262 parent or court;
263 (ii) on opposite weekends from Subsection [
264 noon on Saturday;
265 (iii) one three-hour visit per week to be specified by the noncustodial parent or court;
266 (iv) eight hours on the holidays and in the years specified in Subsections 30-3-35 (2)(f)
267 through [
268 (v) brief telephone contact and other virtual parent-time, if the equipment is
269 reasonably available, with the noncustodial parent at least two times per week, provided that if
270 the parties cannot agree on whether the equipment is reasonably available, the court shall
271 decide whether the equipment for virtual parent-time is reasonably available, taking into
272 consideration:
273 (A) the best interests of the child;
274 (B) each parent's ability to handle any additional expenses for virtual parent-time; and
275 (C) any other factors the court considers material.
276 (e) For children 18 months of age or older, but younger than three years of age:
277 (i) one weekday evening between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to be specified by the
278 noncustodial parent or court; however, if the child is being cared for during the day outside his
279 regular place of residence, the noncustodial parent may, with advance notice to the custodial
280 parent, pick up the child from the caregiver at an earlier time and return him to the custodial
281 parent by 8:30 p.m.;
282 (ii) alternative weekends beginning on the first weekend after the entry of the decree
283 from 6 p.m. on Friday until 7 p.m. on Sunday continuing each year;
284 (iii) parent-time on holidays as specified in Subsections 30-3-35 (2)(c) through [
285 (iv) extended parent-time may be:
286 (A) two one-week periods, separated by at least four weeks, at the option of the
287 noncustodial parent;
288 (B) one week shall be uninterrupted time for the noncustodial parent;
289 (C) the remaining week shall be subject to parent-time for the custodial parent
290 consistent with these guidelines; and
291 (D) the custodial parent shall have an identical one-week period of uninterrupted time
292 for vacation; and
293 (v) brief telephone contact and virtual parent-time, if the equipment is reasonably
294 available, with the noncustodial parent at least two times per week, provided that if the parties
295 cannot agree on whether the equipment is reasonably available, the court shall decide whether
296 the equipment for virtual parent-time is reasonably available, taking into consideration:
297 (A) the best interests of the child;
298 (B) each parent's ability to handle any additional expenses for virtual parent-time; and
299 (C) any other factors the court considers material.
300 (f) For children three years of age or older, but younger than five years of age:
301 (i) one weekday evening between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to be specified by the
302 noncustodial parent or court; however, if the child is being cared for during the day outside his
303 regular place of residence, the noncustodial parent may, with advance notice to the custodial
304 parent, pick up the child from the caregiver at an earlier time and return him to the custodial
305 parent by 8:30 p.m.;
306 (ii) alternative weekends beginning on the first weekend after the entry of the decree
307 from 6 p.m. on Friday until 7 p.m. on Sunday continuing each year;
308 (iii) parent-time on holidays as specified in Subsections 30-3-35 (2)(c) through [
309 (iv) extended parent-time with the noncustodial parent may be:
310 (A) two two-week periods, separated by at least four weeks, at the option of the
311 noncustodial parent;
312 (B) one two-week period shall be uninterrupted time for the noncustodial parent;
313 (C) the remaining two-week period shall be subject to parent-time for the custodial
314 parent consistent with these guidelines; and
315 (D) the custodial parent shall have an identical two-week period of uninterrupted time
316 for vacation; and
317 (v) brief telephone contact and virtual parent-time, if the equipment is reasonably
318 available, with the noncustodial parent at least two times per week, provided that if the parties
319 cannot agree on whether the equipment is reasonably available, the court shall decide whether
320 the equipment for virtual parent-time is reasonably available, taking into consideration:
321 (A) the best interests of the child;
322 (B) each parent's ability to handle any additional expenses for virtual parent-time; and
323 (C) any other factors the court considers material.
324 (4) A parent shall notify the other parent at least 30 days in advance of extended
325 parent-time or vacation weeks.
326 (5) Virtual parent-time shall be at reasonable hours and for reasonable duration.
327 Section 4. Section 30-3-37 is amended to read:
328 30-3-37. Relocation.
329 (1) For purposes of this section, "relocation" means moving [
330 miles or more from the residence specified in the court's decree.
331 (2) The relocating parent shall provide, if possible, 60 days advance written notice of
332 the intended relocation to the other parent. The written notice of relocation shall contain
333 statements affirming the following:
334 (a) the parent-time provisions in Subsection (5) or a schedule approved by both parties
335 will be followed; and
336 (b) neither parent will interfere with the other's parental rights pursuant to court
337 ordered parent-time arrangements, or the schedule approved by both parties.
338 (3) The court may, upon motion of any party or upon the court's own motion, schedule
339 a hearing with notice to review the notice of relocation and parent-time schedule as provided
340 in Section 30-3-35 and make appropriate orders regarding the parent-time and costs for
341 parent-time transportation.
342 (4) In determining the parent-time schedule and allocating the transportation costs, the
343 court shall consider:
344 (a) the reason for the parent's relocation;
345 (b) the additional costs or difficulty to both parents in exercising parent-time;
346 (c) the economic resources of both parents; and
347 (d) other factors the court considers necessary and relevant.
348 (5) Unless otherwise ordered by the court, upon the relocation, as defined in
349 Subsection (1), of one of the parties the following schedule shall be the minimum
350 requirements for parent-time with a school-age child:
351 (a) in years ending in an odd number, the child shall spend the following holidays with
352 the noncustodial parent:
353 (i) Thanksgiving holiday beginning Wednesday until Sunday; and
354 (ii) Spring break, if applicable, beginning the last day of school before the holiday
355 until the day before school resumes;
356 (b) in years ending in an even number, the child shall spend the following holidays
357 with the noncustodial parent:
358 (i) the entire winter school break period; and
359 (ii) the Fall school break beginning the last day of school before the holiday until the
360 day before school resumes;
361 (c) extended parent-time equal to 1/2 of the summer or off-track time for consecutive
362 weeks. The children should be returned to the custodial home no later than seven days before
363 school begins; however, this week shall be counted when determining the amount of
364 parent-time to be divided between the parents for the summer or off-track period; and
365 (d) [
366 at the option and expense of the noncustodial parent.
367 (6) The noncustodial parent's monthly weekend entitlement is subject to the following
368 restrictions.
369 (a) If the noncustodial parent has not designated a specific weekend for parent-time,
370 the noncustodial parent shall receive the last weekend of each month unless a holiday assigned
371 to the custodial parent falls on that particular weekend. If a holiday assigned to the custodial
372 parent falls on the last weekend of the month, the noncustodial parent shall be entitled to the
373 next to the last weekend of the month.
374 (b) If a noncustodial parent's extended parent-time or parent-time over a holiday
375 extends into or through the first weekend of the next month, that weekend shall be considered
376 the noncustodial parent's monthly weekend entitlement for that month.
377 (c) If a child is out of school for teacher development days or snow days after the
378 children begin the school year, or other days not included in the list of holidays in Subsection
379 (5) and those days are contiguous with the noncustodial parent's monthly weekend
380 parent-time, those days shall be included in the weekend parent-time.
381 (7) The custodial parent is entitled to all parent-time not specifically allocated to the
382 noncustodial parent.
383 [
384 parent-time for the noncustodial parent during the school year, the court should consider
385 awarding more time for the noncustodial parent during the summer time if it is in the best
386 interests of the children.
387 [
388 with the noncustodial parent for a minimum of 30 days during extended parent-time, unless
389 the court finds it is not in the best interests of the child. If the court orders uninterrupted
390 parent-time during a period not covered by this section, it shall specify in its order which
391 parent is responsible for the child's travel expenses.
392 [
393 responsible for all the child's travel expenses relating to Subsections (5)(a) and (b) and 1/2 of
394 the child's travel expenses relating to Subsection (5)(c), provided the noncustodial parent is
395 current on all support obligations. If the noncustodial parent has been found in contempt for
396 not being current on all support obligations, the noncustodial parent shall be responsible for all
397 of the child's travel expenses under Subsection (5), unless the court rules otherwise.
398 Reimbursement by either responsible party to the other for the child's travel expenses shall be
399 made within 30 days of receipt of documents detailing those expenses.
400 [
401 [
402 [
403 (2) shall be in contempt of the court's order.
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