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Committee backs bill to protect deployed parents’ custody and visitation rights
Summary
House Bill 414 would add a Uniform Deployed Parents in Custody Visitation Act to Title 23 to protect service members’ parental rights while deployed, expedite hearings and authorize temporary delegations; committee reported the bill unanimously.
The House Judiciary Committee unanimously reported House Bill 414, which would add a Uniform Deployed Parents in Custody Visitation Act to Title 23, committee counsel said.
Counsel described the bill as providing protections for deployed parents in custody and visitation matters, including expedited hearings when deployment orders are received, authorization for temporary agreements that terminate on the deployed parent’s return, and a prohibition on permanent custody changes based solely on deployment. Counsel said the bill makes the best-interest and child-safety standard the controlling factor in placement decisions and that the measure takes effect in 30 days.
Steve Smith, appearing on behalf of Representative Williams, said the bill “aims to protect the parental rights of military members by providing a clear and consistent legal framework to ensure that service members do not face unfair custody consequences as a result of their deployment.” Smith said the Department of Defense, the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the Uniform Law Commission support the legislation.
Committee members discussed the bill but raised no objections. The secretary recorded unanimous committee support; counsel said the language mirrors provisions passed in a dozen other states and that the bill previously passed the committee unanimously in the prior session.
The committee took no amendments and referred the bill as committed.
