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Senate adopts amendment to uniform deployed-parents custody bill and advances it to third reading
Summary
Senators amended and advanced SB96, a uniform-deployed-parents custody measure, deleting language to limit nonparent decision-makers to adult family members with a close and substantial relationship; the amendment was adopted and the bill reported to third reading.
Sponsors explained SB96 (Uniform Deployed Parents Custody and Parent Time Act) as a uniform-law measure designed to protect the decision-making authority of parents who are deployed and to provide an expedited process for temporary orders that preserve parental relationships while a parent is absent.
On the floor, senators adopted an amendment that removed the phrase "or an adult" so that a nonparent granted decision-making authority must be an adult family member with whom the child has a close and substantial relationship. The sponsor emphasized that the court’s grant of authority is discretionary and focused on protecting children’s interests while a parent is deployed.
The Senate reported the bill would be read for a third time with a recorded tally reported on the floor (reported as 18 aye, 4 nay, 7 absent). The amendment and the bill’s movement do not finalize custody law; they advance the bill in the legislative process for subsequent readings and potential conference with the House.
