A new law with a provision authored by state Rep. Jamie Flick, R-South Williamsport, is expected to reduce burdens on families and courts by lowering the factors considered during child custody issues from 19 to 12.

Gov. Josh Shapiro recently signed the measure, which Flick said was improved with his amendment to require family courts to provide anyone named in a custody petition with a written copy of the new factors when decisions are made.

Flick’s amendment, which was unanimously approved by the House, requires the court to give everyone a copy of the new factors within 30 days of modifications being made. The amendment was made to House Bill 378.

“Everyone involved in these cases must understand what factors the courts are considering when making custody decisions,” Flick said, according to a news release. “This allows them to present relevant information and arguments. When both parties understand the criteria used by our courts, it levels the playing field.”

Flick, who has advocated for 50/50 shared custody, noted that once his amendment was added, it took just a little longer than a month for the Senate to unanimously pass the bill and Shapiro to sign it.

“I am pleased the governor supports my amendment,” Flick added. “This fuels the momentum we are building toward reforming child custody laws.”

Flick’s own bill, House Bill 1499, would ensure fairness in custody and protect the rights of children to have equal access to both loving and fit parents. House Bill 1499 now has more than two dozen lawmakers who have signed on as cosponsors. The bill is also widely supported by constituents in his own district, throughout the Commonwealth, and across the United States, Flick said he has received hundreds of emails and thousands of comments on social media regarding his legislation.

“Republicans and Democrats are coming together on this issue because they recognize that custody decisions should put children first – not politics or outdated assumptions,” Flick said.

House Bill 378, now Act 11 of 2025, goes into effect later this summer.