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FederalBill C-223In committee — House

Bill C-223: Keeping Children Safe Act

Sponsor: Lisa HepfnerIntroduced September 18, 2025Checked September 22, 2026
Read the official text on parl.caOfficial version — Parliament of Canada

Latest development

Referred to committee, as of .

Next: Third Reading vote

What this bill does

This bill amends the Divorce Act to strengthen protections against family violence in divorce proceedings by requiring lawyers to assess violence risks, restricting courts from considering 'parental alienation' claims, prohibiting reunification therapy orders, changing how courts evaluate family violence evidence, and allowing courts to hear directly from children in custody matters.

Plain-language summary by Legisail — not legal advice.

Business impact

Compliance
This bill primarily affects family law practitioners — lawyers, mediators, and legal advisers — across all Canadian provinces and territories who handle divorce and custody cases. These professionals will face new mandatory duties to assess family violence risks for every client, develop safety plans when risks are identified, and inform clients about support services. Family dispute resolution professionals (mediators, arbitrators) will also be affected, as the bill changes when reconciliation and mediation can be recommended. Additionally, professionals offering reunification therapy programs or parental alienation assessments will see their services effectively barred from court-ordered use. The bill applies regardless of firm size, from solo family law practitioners to larger firms with dedicated family law departments.

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Where this bill is

First ReadingSeptember 18, 2025
Second ReadingFebruary 4, 2026
CommitteeApril 3, 2026
Next: Third Reading vote

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At a glance

Bill number
C-223
Type
Private Member’s Bill
Current chamber
House
Jurisdiction
Federal
Session
45-1
Takes effect
Not yet known
Official record