Make Parenting Time Interference a Criminal Matter!
Public Safety Committees
The Problem
In Minnesota, custody interference is treated as a civil issue, not a criminal one. If a court order is broken, law enforcement tells you have to take it to court and address it as a civil matter.
That means parents can repeatedly violate court orders with little consequence, while the other parent is forced to spend time and money just to enforce what’s already been decided.
There is no real deterrent.
There is no consistent accountability.
Why It Matters
- When orders aren’t enforced, conflict escalates.
- Repeated interference fuels instability, increases tension between parents, and can contribute to escalating conflict and violence.
- Taxpayers absorb the cost every time law enforcement is called to custody disputes without the ability to enforce the order.
The Solution
Minnesota Family Law Reform created the Minnesota Interference Prevention Bill which creates clear, escalating consequences, including criminal penalties for repeat violations. When a violation occurs, law enforcement can issue a ticket on the spot, no more repeated trips to civil court just to enforce an order. It now goes to criminal court!
This is about accountability.
This is about law enforcement.
This is about protecting children.
Call to Action
If court orders matter, they must be enforced.
SUPPORT MINNESOTA FAMILY LAW REFORM. Tell your legislators: Stop treating custody interference as a civil matter, make it a Minnesota Interference Prevention Bill criminal offense. Support the Minnesota Interference Prevention Bill.
1. Add your name to this petition.
2. Share with your community.
3. Call the Senate Chair of the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee at 651-297-8065 and demand they amend statute § 609.26 to treat parenting time interference as a criminal offense, not a civil matter.
4. Call the House of Representative Co-Chairs of the Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee at 651-296-0141 & 651-296-4237 and demand they amend statute § 609.26 to treat parenting time interference as a criminal offense, not a civil matter.
Sponsored by
To:
Public Safety Committees
From:
[Your Name]
We, the undersigned families, advocates, and community members, stand with Minnesota Family Law Reform (MNFLR) to assert our position that custody and parenting time orders must be enforced and that custody interference must be treated as a criminal matter, not a civil matter.
Under current law, custody and parenting time interference is often treated as a civil issue when law enforcement is called to enforce a court order, leaving families to repeatedly return to court to enforce existing orders. This creates inconsistent enforcement, increases financial strain, and allows violations to continue without meaningful consequence.
This bill to amend § 609.26 provides a clear solution by allowing law enforcement to issue citations at the time of the violation and establishing escalating penalties for repeat offenses. It creates real accountability while introducing a fine-based structure that helps offset enforcement and court costs, rather than continuing to rely on taxpayers to absorb them.
By strengthening enforcement and reducing reliance on repeated civil filings, this legislation supports more stable outcomes for children and families while helping reduce strain on the court system.
Thank you for your leadership, and service to Minnesota.
Minnesota Family Law Reform ( MNFLR)