MD HB481

Amends Maryland Family Law Section 9–105 to make court-ordered makeup visitation mandatory rather than discretionary when a party unjustifiably denies or interferes with court-ordered visitation

Courts must order additional visitation periods that are the same type (weekend, holiday, or summer) as the denied visitation and double the duration of the missed time

The affected parent chooses when the makeup visitation occurs, and it must be scheduled within 2 years of the court's determination

Courts retain discretionary authority to modify custody/visitation orders with additional compliance conditions or assess costs and counsel fees against the violating party

Effective October 1, 2026