The legislators of North Dakota take into account harder punishments for violations of custody – Inforum

Bismarck – The legislators of North Dakota discuss a legislative template that would determine stricter punishments for parents that violate custody agreements in the form of a “strike” system.

According to the Law of Senate 2186, criminal charges could be pursued if a parent violates custody of the rights rights by arresting a child or holding back a child who is under the age of 18, namely the other parent, under the age of 18.

The first two crimes would lead to a criminal offense of $ 1,000. In the third crime, the punishment changes to a class B's offense, which is punished with up to 30 days in prison and a fine of $ 1,500. The fourth criminal offense could lead to a class A's offense and lead to one year in prison and a fine of 3,000 US dollars.

The same “strike” system would apply if a person found guilty of deliberately submitting a complaint for misuse of false child.

Only two of the two dozen statements rejected the legislation before his first hearing from the Senate judicial committee, which made the draft law for a ground vote.

The Senate sent the draft law to the house after passing it with 26: 19.

When Monday, March 10, the hearing of the House of Representatives's House of Representatives turned to the relationship between those who support and reject the legislation, with dramatically contradicting half of the certificate.

The opponents said when the invoice was passed, the invoice could wrongly punish a parent and bring children in greater danger.

“I am not aware of any other place of law in which we accept a civil order and then say that it is now a kind of crime,” said Stephanie Engrebretson, a lawyer who represents the chiefs of the police association. “It is incredibly problematic to bring the law enforcement authorities into this position in order to try to make provisions on these incredibly fact -specific situations.”

Some potential implications listed by opponents comprised cases of older teenagers who refused to meet custody orders, physical obstacles to the transfer of custody such as storm and sudden domestic violence.

Stephanie Engebretson, a lawyer who represents the North Dakota Chiefs of Police Association, hand over opposite certificates to the State Capitol in the State Capitol in Bismarck on Monday, March 10, 2025.

Peyton Haug / Forum News Service

One person can also decide not to report alleged child abuse because they fear that they are charged criminals to submit a wrong claim.

Robert Garza in Texas, who wrote the bill and testified from a distance, said that legislation was necessary to protect the rights of parents.

Robert Garza, author of the Senate Bill 2186, gives remote statements to support legislation on Monday, March 10th.

Peyton Haug / Forum News Service

“The invoice enables escalating punishments to discourage repetition offices and at the same time those who create a first false report, to give the opportunity to rethink their actions,” said Garza. “This is about preserving the integrity of our welfare system by preventing false accusations that families can destroy families.”

During the hearing, three North Dakotans gave additional supporting statements that shared all reports on “soul drainage” instant disputes first.

Todd Peterson from West Fargo attested on Monday, March 10th in front of the House judicial committee, to support the Law on Senate 2186.

Peyton Haug / Forum News Service

Todd Peterson, a divorced father from West Fargo, said, although the bill would not apply to him, he felt forced to say after he was “horrified” by the current system.

“Our system immorters and destroys children, families and our communities,” he said. “The alienation of the parents is a form of severe child abuse with lifelong follows.”

The committee did not take measures against the bill on Monday. If the house approves the bill, he would have to be signed by governor Kelly Armstrong before becoming a law.

Peyton Haug joined the forum as a Bismarck correspondent in June 2024. Achieve Peyton at PHAUG@Forummomm.com.