Bill > S2392

This bill amends the Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA), a set of laws designed to prevent jurisdictional disputes in child custody cases between states. It clarifies that any court modifying an existing child custody judgment must adhere to the UCCJEA. The bill also replaces the existing UCCJEA with a new version that includes updated definitions for terms like "child-custody determination" (which excludes child support orders) and "home state" (the state where a child has lived for at least six consecutive months). It establishes rules for when a court has jurisdiction to make or modify a child custody order, emphasizing that physical presence is not the sole factor. The bill also outlines procedures for enforcing child custody orders from other states, including registration and potential temporary emergency jurisdiction in cases of abandonment or abuse, and provides for cooperation between states in child custody matters. Importantly, it specifies that these provisions do not apply to adoption proceedings or emergency medical care authorizations for a child, and that proceedings involving Native American children are governed by the Indian Child Welfare Act.