This bill introduces a new section to chapter 14-09 of the North Dakota Century Code, focusing on the issue of interference with court-ordered parenting time. It establishes that if a court finds that one parent has intentionally interfered with the other parent's court-ordered parenting time, the court is required to order additional parenting time for the affected parent. The additional time must be at least equal to the lost time and can be up to double the duration of the interference. The bill also allows the court to sanction non-compliant parents for contempt and encourages the use of co-parenting applications to facilitate scheduling and communication.

Additionally, the bill mandates the creation of a child custody review task force during the 2025-26 interim, which will consist of various stakeholders, including members from the judiciary, legislative assembly, and representatives of parents and law enforcement. The task force is tasked with addressing issues related to custody violations, exploring effective enforcement methods, and developing self-help resources. It is required to submit a report with findings and recommendations to the legislative management by June 30, 2026. The bill outlines the structure, meeting frequency, and compensation for task force members, ensuring that the legislative council provides necessary staffing and administrative support.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 12.1-18-05
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Senator Luick: 12.1-18-05
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 12.1-18-05