Rep. Jamie Flick (R-Lycoming/Union) will host a Policy Committee Hearing and a press conference on Tuesday, Nov. 18 in Harrisburg to discuss child custody reform in Pennsylvania. The hearing is scheduled from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the House Minority Caucus Room, while the press conference will take place at 1:30 p.m. on the steps of the Main Capitol Rotunda.
The events will center on legislation authored by Flick that aims to ensure fairness in custody determinations and protect children’s rights to have equal access to both parents, provided they are willing and fit.
“This issue remains deeply personal for me as I have drawn from my own experiences in family court, fighting for years for equal custody of my children in an unjust system,” Flick said. “Every day I hear from fathers, mothers and grandparents from across the country who share their own experiences about the need for reform.”
Support for House Bill 1499 has increased, with similar laws already enacted in states such as Kentucky, Arkansas, West Virginia, Florida, and Missouri. Experts estimate that up to 20 additional states may soon pass comparable measures.
“This is a bill aimed at protecting children,” Flick said. “Without shared parenting, children are more likely to struggle in school, face emotional challenges and fall into cycles that hurt their future.”
Pennsylvania has made progress toward changing its child custody laws. In June, Governor Josh Shapiro signed Act 11 of 2025 into law. This legislation reduced the number of factors judges consider during child custody cases from 19 to 12. Flick contributed an amendment requiring courts to provide all parties with copies of these new factors within 30 days of any modifications being made so that everyone involved—including self-represented parents—has access to important information.
Flick also co-sponsored House Bill 414—now known as the Uniform Deployed Parents Custody and Visitation Act—which prohibits permanent changes to custody arrangements during a parent’s military deployment. Governor Shapiro signed this measure into law at the end of October; it addresses concerns about using military deployment as grounds for altering existing agreements.
House Bill 1499 currently has support from both Republicans and Democrats, with 29 co-sponsors.
“Nov. 18 is the date we will take the biggest step forward to advance my child custody reform,” Flick said. “We will have supporters from all over the country attending both events. It will be a meaningful day to highlight the need for fairness in custody cases and to show lawmakers the broad support for giving children equal access to both parents.”
Those interested in attending must register ahead by calling Flick’s Williamsport Office or visiting his website under the “Events” tab; written comments can also be submitted through his website.
