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 enforcement mechanisms, and developing recommendations for legislative action. It is required to submit a report of its findings and proposed legislation by June 30, 2026. The bill outlines provisions for reimbursement and compensation for task force members and ensures administrative support from the legislative council.

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