IN HB1157

Courts must consider "maximum practical parenting time" with each parent when making custody decisions, replacing the previous "reasonable parenting time" standard

Adds a new factor for courts to weigh in best interest determinations: each parent's ability to encourage sharing of love, affection, and contact between the child and the other parent

Parents are encouraged to develop their own parenting plans and time calendars for joint submission to the court; if parents partially disagree, the court fills in missing components, and if they totally disagree, standard parenting time guidelines apply

Courts must make specific findings of fact and conclusions of law on the record to justify any parenting time order that falls below the minimum standards in parenting time guidelines

Effective July 1, 2026; amends Indiana Code sections IC 31-10-2-2, IC 31-14, and IC 31-17