Advocates launch petition for vote on State Rep. Flick’s child custody reforms

The bill has been stalled in the House Judiciary Committee since May 28, 2025.

“Momentum for my legislation, House Bill 1499, has been growing rapidly,” Flick said. “The fact that there are several parent-focused groups who have started a petition is a clear sign of how important this issue is to families across Pennsylvania.”

To date, the petition has gathered more than 1,600 signatures.

Flick introduced House Bill 1499 following a traumatic experience in family court which left him seeking equal custody for years. Rep. Flick organized a milestone day for child custody reform in Pa. on Nov. 18, 2025, bringing together legislators, supporters, legal experts, family advocates, parents and grandparents, and former lawmakers for a Policy Committee hearing and press conference.

Jeffrey Steiner, executive director of the Dads’ Resource Center, was at the state Capitol during the event and helped start the petition. He states that 85% of Pennsylvanians support a change in law that creates a rebuttable presumption that shared parenting is in the best interest of a child after parental separation.

“Research shows children have the best chances to succeed when both parents remain actively involved throughout their childhood,” Steiner said. “House Bill 1499 works on behalf of children by creating a more balanced and child-focused starting point in contested custody cases.”

Related reading: Pennsylvania will be 'gold standard' for fair custody: Rep. Flick

Robert Garza, the vice president of National Family Justice and a nationally recognized advocate for children and parental rights, said he wanted to help launch the petition because of his work with families across the country.

“This is not just a bill, it’s a movement to make sure no child loses a parent without cause,” Garza said. “The best support for a child is both parents.”

Dan Hubin, board chair with National Parents Organization, asserted that children do better when both parents remain actively involved in their lives.

“The most important thing lawmakers can do for Pennsylvania children is to ensure that parents’ separation doesn’t deprive them of a full relationship with one of their parents,” Hubin said. “And this doesn’t cost the taxpayers a dime.”

“It’s my hope the petition will encourage Rep. Tim Briggs, who is the chair of the House Judiciary Committee, to bring the bill up for a vote,” Flick said. “Getting the bill a vote in committee is a key step in the process. If the bill is approved in committee, it would advance to a vote on the House floor.”

Similar legislation has already passed in Kentucky, Arkansas, West Virginia, Florida, and Missouri.