Hanbidge and Briggs legislation streamlining child custody determination factors passes House
Rep. Liz Hanbidge May 6, 2025 | 4:41 PM
HARRISBURG, May 6 – Legislation introduced by state Reps. Liz Hanbidge and Tim Briggs, both D-Montgomery, to clarify Pennsylvania’s overly complex child custody process passed the House today.
Their bill, H.B. 378, would reduce the number of factors considered in custody proceedings from 16 to 12, making the process more focused and efficient. The lawmakers noted that they’ve heard from judges and family lawyers that the factors as they are currently written need modifications to help judges, lawyers and litigants to better navigate the custody hearing process. Streamlining the custody determination factors will save both families and the courts time, reduce costs and alleviate some of the stress associated with custody cases.
“Being caught between fighting parents and sometimes grandparents is harmful to children, and the current 16 factor process has been proven to needlessly delay resolution in these cases because of redundancies and unclear language,” Hanbidge said. “Our bill puts the focus where it belongs – on reaching timely, clear decisions that serve the best interests of Pennsylvania’s children.”
“This legislation is about putting children first by making the custody process less complicated and more compassionate. By simplifying the factors judges must consider, we’re giving families quicker resolutions and helping courts focus on what truly matters – the well-being of the child. It’s a practical step forward that reflects input from legal experts, judges and families who’ve experienced this process firsthand,” Briggs said.
House Bill 378 mirrors the Joint State Government Commission Task Force on Domestic Relations Law’s 2022 recommendation that suggests reducing the number of factors from 16 to 12, to help Pennsylvania families by making the court process more efficient and less burdensome.