The proposed bill amends existing laws regarding child custody and introduces new provisions related to interference with court-ordered parenting time. It creates a new section in the North Dakota Century Code that establishes penalties for individuals who intentionally interfere with another parent's court-ordered parenting time. If a court finds that one parent has interfered, it is mandated to order additional parenting time to the affected parent, which must be at least equal to the time lost and may be up to double that duration. The bill also allows the court to sanction non-compliant parents for contempt and encourages the use of co-parenting applications for scheduling.

Additionally, the bill establishes a Child Custody Review Task Force to address issues related to the withholding of children in violation of custody decrees and false reports made against parents. This task force will consist of various stakeholders, including members from the judiciary, law enforcement, and parents affected by custody orders. It is tasked with meeting regularly to discuss enforcement of custody orders and to develop recommendations for legislative action, which must be reported by June 30, 2026. The bill aims to enhance the enforcement of custody decrees and provide a structured approach to resolving custody-related disputes.

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