The House Republican Policy Committee, chaired by state Rep. David H. Rowe, R-East Buffalo Township, convened a hearing recently to examine a bill sponsored by Rep. Jamie Flick, R-South Williamsport, to reform Pennsylvania’s child custody laws and ensure children “can maintain meaningful relationships with both loving, fit parents,” according to a news release on Flick’s website.

The hearing brought together stakeholders whose personal experiences underscored the emotional, financial, and psychological toll of the current system. Testifiers emphasized the need for evidence-based custody standards that start from a presumption of shared parenting–an approach adopted by several other states.

Rowe opened the hearing by reaffirming the committee’s mission as the fact-finding arm of the caucus and highlighting the importance of child-focused custody reform.

“This conversation is about one central principle: keeping children at the center of every decision,” Rowe said, according to the news release. “House Bill 1499 asks whether we can go further to ensure that when both parents are loving, capable, and safe, children have the chance to maintain strong and meaningful relationships with each of them.”

Flick, the news release said, delivered deeply personal testimony, outlining the years-long battle he faced in family court after his divorce.

Flick described being limited to every-other-weekend visits despite being an involved father, recounting repeated continuances, false allegations, financial strain, and a court order that conditioned equal custody on continued child-support payments as though he had fewer overnights.

“This insanity has to stop,” Flick said, according to the news release, urging lawmakers to recognize the real-world fallout of unequal parenting time. “House Bill 1499 is just a step in the right direction.”

Teresa Sneed, founder of National Family Justice, presented national data showing that shared parenting improves outcomes in academic performance, mental health, relationships, and long-term well-being. She noted that Pennsylvania currently earns a “D” rating for shared parenting policy. “This isn’t a parental rights issue–it’s a children’s rights issue, and the science is unequivocal,” Sneed testified.

In particularly powerful testimony, attorney Gregory Fellerman detailed how a 65/35 custody order ultimately cost him more than a year of time with his daughter before her tragic death at age 20. “Fathers deserve equal treatment under the law. Tomorrow is promised to no one,” he said.

Judge Micah Pence of Kentucky, where a shared-parenting law has been in effect since 2018, offered insight from the bench.

Initially skeptical of the reform, Pence said the law has instead reduced litigation, increased cooperation, and helped protect children from manipulation or abuse.

“The conversation changes when parents have equal power,” she explained, according to the news release. “We were wrong to be afraid of this law. It has made families stronger, not weaker.”

“I’ve never seen a hearing quite this robust,” said House Judiciary Chairman Rob Kauffman, R-Greene Township, according to the news release. “This is one of the most frequent issues constituents raise, and the testimony today shows why change is needed.”