The coercive-control debate is exactly where reformers need honesty. Abuse is real. Patterns matter. Courts must not ignore threats, isolation, financial domination, mental-health crises, or warning signs that predict violence. But vague standards can also become weapons in custody litigation if judges and evaluators use them carelessly. That is why implementation matters as much as passage. HB 2995 can save lives if courts demand evidence, make clear findings, protect children, and punish false gamesmanship. The Alec and Lydia Act should not become another discretionary fog bank. It should become a disciplined child-safety tool with due process attached.
The coercive-control debate is exactly where reformers need honesty. Abuse is real. Patterns matter. Courts must not ignore threats, isolation, financial domination, mental-health crises, or warning signs that predict violence. But vague standards can also become weapons in custody litigation if judges and evaluators use them carelessly. That is why implementation matters as much as passage. HB 2995 can save lives if courts demand evidence, make clear findings, protect children, and punish false gamesmanship. The Alec and Lydia Act should not become another discretionary fog bank. It should become a disciplined child-safety tool with due process attached.