# Indiana HB 1157: Maximum practical parenting time.

Indiana HB 1157, Maximum practical parenting time., is a Second Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2026) House bill sponsored by Heath VanNatter (Republican); status failed, last action 2026-01-05 (First reading: referred to Committee on Judiciary) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-HB1157-2026
- As of: 2026-11-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Indiana HB 1157
- State: Indiana
- Session: Second Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2026)
- Title: Maximum practical parenting time.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2026-01-05
- Last action: 2026-01-05, First reading: referred to Committee on Judiciary
- Sponsor: Heath VanNatter (Republican)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: judiciary
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Requires a court in certain circumstances to make decisions to promote continuity of relationship by both parents with the child through maximum practical parenting time with each parent. Provides that the ability of the parties to encourage the sharing of love, affection, and contact between the child and the other party is a permissible factor to consider in weighing the best interests of a child. Provides that: (1) parents must be encouraged to develop the parents' own parenting plans and parenting time calendars, but if the parents cannot agree to a part of the plan, the court shall provide the required components according to the best interests of the child; (2) if the parents are in total disagreement, the parenting time guidelines apply; and (3) the court must make specific findings of fact and conclusions of law on the record to support any deviation of parenting time that falls below the minimum standards in the parenting time guidelines.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Heath VanNatter (Republican), House

## Actions (2)

- 2026-01-05: First reading: referred to Committee on Judiciary (House)
- 2026-01-05: Authored by Representative VanNatter (House)

## Bill text

- Introduced House Bill (H): [PDF](https://api.iga.in.gov/2026/bills/HB1157/versions/HB1157.01.INTR?format=pdf)

## Related bills

- HB 1266: Department of education and education matters. (signed)
- HB 1277: Health and human services matters. (signed)
- HB 1210: Department of local government finance. (signed)
- HB 1249: Various criminal law matters. (signed)
- HB 1200: Bureau of motor vehicles. (signed)
- HB 1115: Homeowners association governance. (signed)

## Sources
- [Introduced House Bill (H) (PDF)](https://api.iga.in.gov/2026/bills/HB1157/versions/HB1157.01.INTR?format=pdf)

## Related
- [HB 1266: Department of education and education matters.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-HB1266-2026)
- [HB 1277: Health and human services matters.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-HB1277-2026)
- [HB 1210: Department of local government finance.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-HB1210-2026)
- [HB 1249: Various criminal law matters.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-HB1249-2026)
- [HB 1200: Bureau of motor vehicles.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-HB1200-2026)
- [HB 1115: Homeowners association governance.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-HB1115-2026)
- [Indiana bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/indiana/bills)
- [Indiana state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/indiana)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-HB1157-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).