This Is Not Just Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is not alone in looking at this issue. Robert Garza recently highlighted that the Mississippi legislature just passed a 50 / 50 bill and put it on the governor’s desk. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GzpjkuQHE/

Across the country, states are beginning to recognize the importance of ensuring children can maintain strong relationships with both parents after separation. In fact, a growing number of states have already taken meaningful steps in this direction.

• Kentucky became the first state in the nation to pass a law establishing a presumption of shared parenting, with overwhelming bipartisan support.
• Arkansas (2021) followed, creating a presumption that joint custody is in the best interest of the child.
• West Virginia (2022) enacted similar reforms, encouraging equal parenting time where appropriate.
• Florida (2023) passed legislation establishing a rebuttable presumption of shared parenting.

There are other states outside of Pennsylvania that have made progress toward shared parenting laws or otherwise are actively considering similar reforms, in both Republican and Democratic-led states.

What does this mean for Pennsylvania?

It means this is not a radical idea. 

It is part of a broader national shift toward putting children first that even in the face of concerns raised by legal, professional and special interest organizations, those perspectives do not prevent legislation from being considered and acted upon.

The Good News

Representative Flick and PA Father X’s tireless work, and the ever-growing number of passionate citizens taking the initiative to reach out to their legislators and actively engaging on social media is being noticed. 

Conversations are happening, and voices are being heard. 

You are doing GREAT. 

This is perhaps the toughest, but just the first step in a long and difficult process. 

Please keep working.

Continue to share the petition.  

You can use this to find out who your state representative is and how to contact him or her about co-sponsoring or supporting HB 1499.

https://www.palegis.us/find-my-legislator

You can use this to contact members of the House Judiciary.

https://www.palegis.us/house/committees/60/judiciary

HB 1499 One Pager

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sdfP5RiFL5lFi5Ti00KJF4nFme34ZB_8/view?usp=sharing

HB 1499 Infographic

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1D_LaOjZ_Nch7t7BpT8IDTkt0mkWxMkR-/view?usp=sharing

Have a great Easter all!

In your service,

Jeff