As a U.S. Army veteran, night-shift worker, and devoted father living in Snyder County, PA, I face a serious flaw in Pennsylvania’s custody and child support laws. Like many parents who work unconventional hours, I provide consistent care for my children during the day—on my time off and between shifts. Yet the current legal system only counts overnight stays when calculating parenting time, rendering those daytime efforts invisible.

Imagine the frustration of knowing that the meals, school prep, transportation, and emotional support you provide every day don’t legally “count” simply because they don’t happen overnight. This outdated system ignores the reality of modern families and unfairly penalizes thousands of hardworking parents—including veterans—who dedicate themselves fully to their children during the day.

It’s time for change. Pennsylvania must reform its custody and child support laws to include daytime parenting in parenting time calculations. A fairer system should reflect all genuine parenting responsibilities—regardless of the hour they happen.

We call on lawmakers to take action and recognize the full scope of parental involvement. If you believe in fairness, accountability, and honoring all the ways parents show up for their children, sign this petition. Let’s build a more just and inclusive system for families across Pennsylvania.