New bill protects military members’ right to child custody

New bill protects military members’ right to child custody

An important bill has been passed by the government, according to a Dec. 13 news release. The bill, one that has taken nearly a decade to pass in the House and Senate, prevents military service members who are deployed from losing their custodial rights due to them being away for service. The measure was first introduced in 2007 and has been in the works since.

The provision is part of the National Defense Authorization Act, and it only has to pass through the president to become law. The report claims that the president is expected to sign off on the measure.

How did this act come to light? The story reports on at least one woman who struggled to regain her custodial rights after being deployed. When she returned home, she requested to have her child come home with her as well, but the child’s father told her to get a court order. She lost custody for a time, but she was later able to regain it nearly two years later.

Her story isn’t a solo event; she claims many other service members have come to her worried about the same thing happening to them. The issue itself is even listed in the “Suicide Event Report” written by the Defense Department.

If you’re concerned about child custody and are serving in the military, this bill can be of help to you. Speaking with someone familiar with the new law and how it applies in Illinois can help you get back to the life you expected to have before and after deployment. You shouldn’t have to be punished for helping protect your country.

Source: The Columbus Dispatch, “Bill OK’d preserving child-custody rights on deployment” Jessica Wehrman, Dec. 13, 2014