Shared Parenting in Crisis: Pennsylvania Scores Near The Bottom in National Report.

The National Parents Organization (NPO) recently held a press conference to unveil its highly anticipated 2025 Shared Parenting Report Card, which evaluates state-by-state legislation supporting shared parenting in family court decisions.

Unfortunately, the news isn’t great for the Keystone State.

Pennsylvania Scores Low in Shared Parenting Legislation

Pennsylvania received a D grade, placing it among the bottom third of states nationwide—alongside California, North Dakota, and Wyoming. According to the NPO, only ten states received lower grades in this year’s report.

The report card is based on legislative criteria that impact how judges make custody decisions. Pennsylvania was called out for several major shortcomings:

• ❌ No statutory presumption in favor of shared parenting
• ❌ No policy language that encourages equal parenting time

• ❌ No clear statutes addressing false allegations of abuse in family law cases

These gaps in family law policy can have a major impact on children and parents alike, often leaving one parent with significantly less time and influence in their child’s life.

Efforts Toward Change: Rep. Jamie Flick Takes Action

Not all hope is lost, however. Representative Jamie Flick, who serves Lycoming County, has been a vocal supporter of shared parenting reform. He introduced a bill promoting shared parenting during the last legislative session and is actively working to reintroduce it in the current session.

Click here to learn more about Rep. Flick’s efforts and view updates on his legislative work

Why Shared Parenting Matters

Shared parenting is about more than just fairness between parents—it’s about what’s best for the children. Research consistently shows that children thrive when both parents are actively involved in their lives following a separation or divorce.

Unfortunately, without supportive laws in place, many families in Pennsylvania are missing out on the benefits of a more balanced co-parenting arrangement.

Support for Reform Is Growing

Thanks to organizations like the National Parents Organization, awareness around the importance of shared parenting is growing. Their 2025 Shared Parenting Report Card is a vital resource for advocates, lawmakers, and families seeking change.

You can explore the full report and see how your state ranks by following the link in this post.

Want to see Pennsylvania improve its grade in 2026? Share this blog, reach out to your local legislators, and support efforts that promote equal parenting rights.