Bill > H1564

This bill aims to provide protections and flexibility for military personnel regarding child custody and visitation orders. It defines key terms such as "deployment" (temporary transfer for combat or military operations), "mobilization" (transfer to extended active duty for National Guard or Military Reserve, excluding annual training), and "temporary duty" (short-term transfer to a different location for training or non-combat missions). The bill stipulates that a military member's absence, relocation, or failure to comply with custody orders due to activation, mobilization, or deployment will not be held against them when modifying existing orders. Furthermore, if a service member with custody or visitation rights receives orders that require them to move a significant distance or materially affect their ability to exercise those rights, the court can issue a temporary custody order until their return or delegate visitation rights to a close family member or step-parent if it's in the child's best interest. The bill also mandates that if a service member's military duties will impact their ability to attend a hearing, the court must either hold an expedited hearing before their departure or allow them to participate remotely through electronic means.