Utah implemented changes to its standard minimum parent-time schedule on May 6, 2026, according to a report published October 15. The legislative updates to Utah Code §§ 81-9-302, 81-9-303, and 81-9-304 modified exchange times and removed specific holidays from the standard holiday chart.
For children ages 5 through 18, several exchange times were adjusted under the new laws. Evening returns moved from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., while Friday and holiday-weekend pick-ups moved from 6 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Additionally, non-school-day starts shifted from 9 a.m. to 8 a.m. Mother's Day and Father's Day now begin at 5:30 p.m. the evening before the holiday instead of at 9 a.m. on the day of the holiday.
The updated holiday schedule officially removed Columbus Day and Veterans Day. For children under five, Utah Code 81-9-304 was also amended, establishing age-specific schedules that generally end parent-time at 7:30 p.m. The statute also dictates an order of precedence for scheduling conflicts, where Mother's Day and Father's Day hold top priority, followed by the child's birthday, other statutory holidays, extended summer parent-time, and the regular weekend and weekday rotation.
Regarding extended summer parent-time, the law now specifies that time must be consecutive, though the non-custodial parent may elect to take their four weeks in two separate 14-day periods. For children ages 5 to 18, the custodial parent is entitled to two uninterrupted weeks of summer parent-time. In 2026, an even-numbered year, the custodial parent receives the first half of Winter Break, which includes Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, while the non-custodial parent receives the second half.
A further amendment is scheduled to take effect January 1, 2027, which will shift how Utah observes Juneteenth. This change will align the observance with the date recognized by the federal government.
The report noted that a court order remains the governing document for parent-time; an amendment to the parent-time chapter does not automatically modify an existing decree unless the court orders otherwise or both parents sign a written change. Updates to the holiday chart regarding the 2027 Juneteenth observance are expected in December 2026.
