summary
Introduced
01/14/2026
01/14/2026
In Committee
02/19/2026
02/19/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Creates the Deployed Parents Allocation of Parental Responsibilities Part. Requires a deploying parent to notify the other parent of a pending deployment not later than 7 days after receiving notice of deployment unless reasonably prevented from doing so by the circumstances of service. Requires each parent to provide the other parent with a plan for fulfilling the parent's share of parental responsibilities during deployment. Requires an individual to whom parental responsibilities have been granted during deployment to notify the deploying parent and any other individual with parental responsibilities of a child of any change of the individual's mailing address or residence until the grant is terminated. Prohibits a court from considering a parent's past deployment or possible future deployment in itself in determining the best interests of the child in a proceeding for the allocation of parental responsibilities of a child of a service member. Allows the parents of a child to enter into a temporary agreement granting parental responsibilities during deployment of a deploying parent. Allows a court to issue a temporary order granting parental responsibilities after a deploying parent receives notice of deployment and until the deployment terminates. Allows a court to grant caretaking functions, significant decision-making, or limited contact to a non-parent who is an adult family member of the child or an adult with whom the child has a close and substantial relationship on the motion of a deploying parent. Allows the court to enter a temporary order for child support if the court has issued a temporary order granting parental responsibilities under the Part. Sets forth the termination procedures of an agreement or temporary order under the Part. Makes other changes.
AI Summary
This bill amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act to create a new section specifically for situations involving deployed parents, ensuring that parental responsibilities are addressed when a service member is deployed. Key provisions include requiring a deploying parent to notify the other parent of their impending deployment within seven days of receiving notice, unless circumstances prevent it, and to provide a plan for how their parental duties will be fulfilled during their absence. It also mandates that any individual granted parental responsibilities during a deployment must inform the deploying parent and others involved of any changes to their address or residence until that arrangement ends. Importantly, courts are prohibited from considering a parent's past or potential future deployment as the sole factor in determining a child's best interests when allocating parental responsibilities. The bill allows parents to create temporary agreements for parental responsibilities during a deployment, and courts can issue temporary orders for these arrangements, including child support, if necessary. Furthermore, a deploying parent can request that a court grant caretaking functions, significant decision-making, or limited contact to a non-parent, such as an adult family member or someone with a close relationship with the child, if it's in the child's best interest. Finally, the bill outlines procedures for terminating these temporary agreements or court orders once the deploying parent returns.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading February 24, 2026 (on 02/19/2026)
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