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PA HB1499
Bill
Status
5/28/2025
Primary Sponsor
Jamie Flick
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AI Summary
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Establishes a rebuttable presumption that shared physical custody, shared legal custody, and equal parenting time (as close to 50/50 as practicable, with neither parent exceeding 60%) are in the best interest of the child, overturnable only by clear and convincing evidence
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Eliminates the custody terms "primary physical custody," "partial physical custody," "sole legal custody," and "sole physical custody" from Pennsylvania law, replacing them with "shared physical custody" and "shared legal custody"
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Requires courts to provide specific written findings explaining any deviation from equal parenting time in custody orders, including temporary and interim orders
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Creates a new process for temporary custody orders requiring affidavits, notice to other parties, and hearings, with the same presumption favoring shared custody and equal parenting time
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Updates the parenting plan form to presume children's residence will be at both parents' homes unless parties agree otherwise, and changes references from "Department of Public Welfare" to "Department of Human Services"
Legislative Description
In child custody, further providing for definitions, for award of custody, for standing for partial physical custody and supervised physical custody, for presumption in cases concerning primary physical custody, for factors to consider when awarding custody, for consideration of criminal conviction and for parenting plan; and making editorial changes.
Last Action
Referred to Judiciary
5/28/2025