The Texas Senate made headlines this week with the unanimous passage of Senate Bill 2794, known as the “Three Strikes Law” for child custody interference. The law—if signed—would escalate penalties for repeated violations of court-ordered custody, making a third offense a state jail felony. The intent is clear: protect the integrity of custody orders and deter alienating behavior that deprives children of time with one parent.
But while Texas moves decisively, could such a law take root in states with very different political climates—like Maryland or Virginia?
Maryland: Progressive Values Meet Family Court Inertia
Maryland is a deep-blue state with a long-standing reputation for progressive policy—but it also has a deeply entrenched family court culture that many say prioritizes “cooperative parenting” over accountability.
Parental rights advocates in the state point to gaps in enforcement of existing court orders. Even when custody agreements are violated, consequences are rare—and often civil, not criminal. Maryland’s family law judges wield broad discretion under Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) models, which many critics argue sidestep constitutional protections and shield repeat offenders from real consequences.
Could a bill like SB 2794 pass here?
“Not without a fight,” says one Maryland father and legal reform advocate. “This state has a hard time even acknowledging parental alienation, let alone criminalizing it.”
Still, with growing awareness of coercive control and emotional abuse in family court, some believe a modified version—perhaps focused on egregious, repeated violations—could be introduced with bipartisan backing, especially if framed as a child protection issue rather than a criminal justice expansion.
Virginia: A Split State in Transition
Virginia, often viewed as a political battleground, may be a more likely proving ground. While control of the legislature flips regularly, public sentiment around child protection and judicial fairness is gaining traction across party lines.
In recent years, parental rights bills—including curriculum transparency, custody reform, and due process protections—have gained bipartisan support in the Commonwealth. A “Three Strikes” policy for custody interference might find Republican backing on law-and-order grounds, and Democratic interest if positioned as preventing emotional harm to children.
What could tip the scale?
- Data: Evidence showing the long-term harm of repeated custody interference and its link to emotional trauma in children.
- Testimony: Real-life stories from parents—mothers and fathers—who have been repeatedly denied time with their children without consequence.
- Bipartisan framing: Positioning the law as a targeted tool for high-conflict repeat offenders, rather than a blanket punishment model.
The Bigger Picture: A Shift Toward Accountability
As more states grapple with the realities of parental alienation, custody interference, and non-enforcement of court orders, SB 2794 may set a new precedent—one that forces courts to treat custody time as a fundamental right, not a flexible suggestion.
Whether Maryland or Virginia follows suit depends on political will, judicial culture, and public pressure. But one thing is certain: Texas has thrown down the gauntlet, and the conversation has officially begun.
Do you think custody interference should carry escalating penalties like in Texas? Should Maryland or Virginia adopt similar laws? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Virginia Bay News 
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