D R A F T

FOR DISCUSSION ONLY

UNIFORM DEPLOYED PARENTS CUSTODY ACT

_______________________________________________

NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF COMMISSIONERS

ON UNIFORM STATE LAW

_______________________________________________

February 2011 Committee Meeting Draft with Post Meeting Revisions

Without Prefatory Note or Comments

Name Change pending Executive Committee Approval

NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF COMMISSIONERS

ON UNIFORM STATE LAWS

____________________________________________________________________________________________

The ideas and conclusions set forth in this draft, including the proposed statutory language and any comments or reporter=s notes, have not been passed upon by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws or the Drafting Committee. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the Conference and its Commissioners and the Drafting Committee and its Members and Reporter. Proposed statutory language may not be used to ascertain the intent or meaning of any promulgated final statutory proposal.

March 15, 2011

DRAFTING COMMITTEE ON VISITATION AND CUSTODY ISSUES AFFECTING MILITARY PERSONNEL AND THEIR FAMILEIS

The Committee appointed by and representing the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws in preparing this Act consists of the following individuals:

PAUL M. KURTZ, University of Georgia School of Law, 225 Herty Dr., Athens, GA 30602- 6012, Chair

BARBARA ATWOOD, University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law, 1201 E. Speedway, P.O. Box 210176, Tucson, AZ 85721-0176

EFFIE BEAN COZART, 6075 Poplar Ave., Suite 500, Memphis, TN 38119

THOMAS J. DEADRICK, 315 Main St., P.O. Box 788, Platte, SD 57369

LORIE FOWLKE, 2696 N. University Ave., #220, Provo, UT 84604

KAY KINDRED, William S. Boyd School of Law, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Pkwy., Box 451003, Las Vegas, NV 89154-1003

DEBRA H. LEHRMANN, 360^thDistrict Court, Family Law Center, 200 W. Weatherford St., 4^th Floor, Fort Worth, TX 76196-0282

BRADLEY MYERS, University of North Dakota School of Law, 215 Centennial Dr., Stop 9003, Room 201, Grand Forks, ND 58202-9003

THOMAS C. OWENS, 7804 W. 100^th St., Overland Park, KS 66212

ANNE H. REIGLE, Court of Commons Pleas, Kent County Courthouse, 28 The Green, Suite 6, Dover, DE 19901-3602

MAXINE EICHNER, University of North Carolina School of Law, 160 Ridge Rd., Van Hecke- Wettach Hall, CB #3380, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, Reporter

EX OFFICIO

ROBERT A. STEIN, University of Minnesota Law School, 229 19th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55455, President

GAIL H. HAGERTY, South Central Judicial District, P.O. Box 1013, 514 E. Thayer Ave., Bismark, ND 58502-1013, Division Chair

AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION ADVISOR

JAMES HIGDON, 1200 Huebner Rd., Suite 200, San Antonio, TX 78230-1201, ABA Advisor

JEAN CROWE, Legal Aid Society, 300 Deaderick St., Nashville, TN 37201-1103, ABA Section Advisor

MARK E. SULLIVAN, 2626 Glenwood Ave., Suite 195, Raleigh, NC 27608-1366, ABA Section Advisor

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

JOHN A. SEBERT, 111 N. Wabash Ave., Suite 1010, Chicago, IL 60602, Executive Director

Copies of this Act may be obtained from:

NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF COMMISSIONERS

ON UNIFORM STATE LAWS

111 N. Wabash Ave., Suite 1010

Chicago, Illinois 60602

312/450-6600

www.uniformlaws.org

UNIFORM DEPLOYED PARENTS CUSTODY ACT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

[ARTICLE] 1

GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 101. SHORT TITLE.................................................................................................... 1

SECTION 102. DEFINITIONS.................................................................................................... 1

SECTION 103. SANCTIONS....................................................................................................... 3

SECTION 104. JURISDICTION.................................................................................................. 3

SECTION 105. DUTY TO NOTIFY COURT OF CHANGE OF ADDRESS........................... 4

[ARTICLE] 2

CUSTODY PROCEEDINGS UPON NOTICE OF DEPLOYMENT

SECTION 201. NOTICE REQUIRED TO NONDEPLOYING PARENT................................ 5

SECTION 202. EXPEDITED HEARING................................................................................... 5

SECTION 203. ELECTRONIC TESTIMONY............................................................................ 5

SECTION 204. EFFECT OF PRIOR JUDICIAL DECREE OR AGREEMENT...................... 6

SECTION 205. TEMPORARY NATURE OF CUSTODY ORDER.......................................... 6

SECTION 206. PROVISIONS OF TEMPORARY CUSTODY ORDER.................................. 6

SECTION 207. ORDER FOR CHILD SUPPORT...................................................................... 7

[ARTICLE] 3

JUDICIAL ASSIGNMENT OF CUSTODIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO THIRD PARTIES

SECTION 301. DEFINITIONS.................................................................................................... 9

SECTION 302. ASSIGNMENT OF PRIMARY CUSTODIAL RESPONSIBILITY............... 9

SECTION 303. ASSIGNMENT OF VISITATION..................................................................... 9

SECTION 304. ASSIGNMENT OF POWERS ACCOMPANYING CUSTODIAL RESPONSIBILITY. 10

SECTION 305. ASSIGNMENT OF LIMITED CONTACT..................................................... 10

SECTION 307. NATURE OF ASSIGNMENTS....................................................................... 11

SECTION 308. STANDING TO ENFORCE ASSIGNED RIGHT.......................................... 11

SECTION 309. DEPLOYING PARENT’S MOTION FOR MODIFICATION OR TERMINATION OF ASSIGNMENT................................................................................................................. 12

SECTION 310. NONDEPLOYING PARENT’S MOTION FOR MODIFICATION OR TERMINATION OF ASSIGNMENT................................................................................................................. 12

[ARTICLE] 4

PROCEDURES FOLLOWING RETURN FROM DEPLOYMENT

SECTION 401. VISITATION BEFORE TERMINATION OF TEMPORARY ORDER....... 13

SECTION 402. CONSENT PROCEDURE FOR TERMINATING TEMPORARY CUSTODY ORDER. 13

SECTION 403. STANDARD PROCEDURE FOR TERMINATING TEMPORARY CUSTODY ORDER. 14

SECTION 404. POST-HEARING PROCEDURES FOR MODIFICATION OR RESUMPTION OF PERMANENT CUSTODY ARRANGEMENT.............................................................. 15

[ARTICLE] 5

CONSIDERATION OF PARENT’S SERVICE IN CUSTODY PROCEEDINGS WHEN NO DEPLOYMENT IS PENDING

SECTION 501. GENERAL CONSIDERATION OF PARENT’S SERVICE IN CUSTODY PROCEEDINGS............................................................................................................................................ 16

[ARTICLE] 6

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SECTION 601. UNIFORMITY OF APPLICATION AND CONSTRUCTION..................... 17

SECTION 602. RELATION TO ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES IN GLOBAL AND NATIONAL COMMERCE ACT................................................................................................................................... 17

SECTION 603. EFFECTIVE DATE.......................................................................................... 17

UNIFORM DEPLOYED PARENTS CUSTODY ACT

[ARTICLE] 1

GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 101. SHORT TITLE. This [act] may be cited as the [Uniform Deployed Parents Custody Act].

SECTION 102. DEFINITIONS. In this [act]:

(1) “Adult” means an individual who is at least [18] years of age.

(2) "Child" means an unemancipated individual who has not attained [18 years of age], or an adult son or daughter by birth or adoption who is the subject of an existing order determining custodial responsibility[U1] .

(3) "Court" means an entity authorized under the law of this state to establish, enforce, or modify a child-custody determination.

(4) “Custodial responsibility” means legal custody, physical custody, or visitation [WU2] rights with respect to a child.

(5) “Deploying parent” means an individual:

(A) who is:

(i) the legal parent of a child; or

(ii) the legal guardian of a child for whom custodial responsibility has been determined by court order;

(B) is a service member; and

(6) "Deployment" means the movement or mobilization of a service member for a period of longer than [60] days pursuant to official orders that are either:

(A) designated as unaccompanied;

(B) for which dependent travel is not authorized; or

Orders include military orders designated as temporary, as well as military orders designated as permanent so long as the service member intends to return to a location in which family members are authorized within 18 months. "Deploy", "deploying", and "deployed" have corresponding meanings.

(7) “Legal custody” means the right and duty to make decisions for a child, including those relating to the health, education and welfare of the child, as provided under state law.

(8) “Limited contact” means the opportunity for a third party to visit with a child for a moderate period of time, which may include taking the child to a place other than the residence of the child.

(9) “Nondeploying parent” means an individual:

(A) who in common with the deploying parent is:

(i) the legal parent of a child; or

(ii) the legal guardian of a child for whom custodial responsibility has been determined by court order; and

(B) who is not deployed and has not been notified of his or her own impending deployment.

(10) “Physical custody” means the physical care and supervision of a child.

(11) “Primary custodial responsibility” means responsibility for the physical custody of a child for 50 percent or more of the child’s time.

(12) “Record” means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.

(13) “Service member” means a member of:

(A) the active or reserve components of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard of the United States, including the National Guard in state and federal status;

(B) the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service, or the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States; or

(14) “Third party” means a person other than a deploying parent or nondeploying parent.

(15) “Visitation” means responsibility for the physical custody of a child for less than 50 percent of the child’s time.

SECTION 103. SANCTIONS. If the court finds that a party to a proceeding under this [act] has acted in bad faith, or otherwise deliberately failed to comply with this [act] or a court order issued under this [act], the court may assess attorney's fees and costs of the opposing party and order any other appropriate sanctions.

SECTION 104. JURISDICTION. A court of this state may enter an order regarding custodial responsibility pursuant to this [act] only where the court has jurisdiction pursuant to the [Uniform Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act]. If a court in this state has rendered a temporary order regarding custodial responsibility pursuant to [article] 2 of this [act], the deploying parent shall be deemed to reside in this state for the purposes of the [Uniform Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act] during the duration of the deployment. Furthermore, if a court in another state has rendered a temporary order regarding custodial responsibility pursuant to deployment, this court shall deem the deploying parent to reside in the rendering state for the purposes of the [Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act] during the duration of the deployment. This section does not prohibit the exercise of temporary emergency jurisdiction by a court of this state under the [Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act].

SECTION 105. DUTY TO NOTIFY COURT OF CHANGE OF ADDRESS. If the court has rendered a temporary order regarding custodial responsibility pursuant to Article 2 of this [act], any nondeploying parent or any third party to whom the court has assigned primary custodial responsibility, visitation, or limited contact shall notify the court of any change of address until the termination of the temporary order.

[ARTICLE] 2

CUSTODY PROCEEDINGS UPON NOTICE OF DEPLOYMENT

SECTION 201. NOTICE REQUIRED TO NONDEPLOYING PARENT. Except as otherwise provided in a court order or agreement between the parents that specifically contemplates deployment, a deploying parent shall, in a record, notify the nondeploying parent or other deploying parent of deployment not later than [7] days of receiving notice [U3] of deployment. If an existing court order requires that the address or contact information of the nondeploying parent not be disclosed, the notification must be made only to the court, which shall forward it to the nondeploying parent. Failure to timely notify the nondeploying parent or other deploying parent without good cause shall be presumed contrary to the best interests of the child in future custody proceedings between the parents.

SECTION 202. EXPEDITED HEARING. Following a deploying parent’s receiving notice of deployment, either a deploying parent or nondeploying parent may request an expedited hearing by the court on any matter pertaining to custodial responsibility. The request shall include the date on which the deployment begins; if the date of deployment is uncertain, the approximate date shall be included. The court shall grant a request for an expedited hearing if the deploying parent's ability, or anticipated ability, to appear in person at a regularly scheduled hearing would be prevented by the deployment or preparation for the deployment, and if an expedited hearing is feasible for the court.

SECTION 203. ELECTRONIC TESTIMONY. A deploying parent or nondeploying parent involved in a proceeding pursuant to this [act] who is reasonably unavailable to appear personally may request to participate in the hearing, including giving testimony and providing evidence, through electronic means. The request shall be granted if the participation is technologically and otherwise practicable, and would not create a substantial injustice.

SECTION 204. EFFECT OF PRIOR JUDICIAL DECREE OR AGREEMENT.

(a) In a proceeding seeking entry of an order regarding custodial responsibility following notice of deployment or during deployment:

(1) If a prior judicial decree between a deploying and nondeploying parent, or two deploying parents, contains provisions designating custodial responsibility of the child in the event of deployment, those provisions are binding on the court unless:

(A) a [material] [substantial] change of circumstances has occurred that was not foreseeable at the time of the prior judicial decree; and

(B) the court makes specific findings of fact as to why enforcement of those provisions would not be in the best interests of the child.

(2) If the deploying parent and nondeploying parent, or two deploying parents, have previously agreed in writing to provisions for custodial responsibility of the child in the event of deployment, the court shall presume that the agreement is in the best interests of the child. This presumption may be rebutted if the court makes specific findings of fact as to why enforcement of the agreement is not in the best interests of the child.

SECTION 205. TEMPORARY NATURE OF CUSTODY ORDER. Following a deploying parent’s receiving notice of deployment and for the duration of the deployment,

a court with jurisdiction may render a temporary order for custodial responsibility under applicable state law, if the order is consistent with the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, 50 U.S.C. Appx. Sections 521, and 522. The court may not enter a permanent order regarding custody or visitation without the consent in a record of the deploying parent.

SECTION 206. PROVISIONS OF TEMPORARY CUSTODY ORDER. A temporary order for custodial responsibility rendered under this article must:

(1) designate the order as a temporary order;

(2) identify the nature of the deployment that is the basis for the order;

(3) specify the allocation of custodial responsibility between the deploying parent and nondeploying parent, if applicable;

(4) specify the frequency, duration, and means by which the deploying parent may remain in contact with the child, including by electronic communication, or other available means, and any role of the nondeploying parent in facilitating this communication;

(5) order liberal contact between the deploying parent and child during the time the deploying parent is on leave or is otherwise available unless it is contrary to the best interests of the child;

(6) specify any assignment of custodial responsibility to a third party pursuant to Article 3, including the specific powers that accompany this assignment;

(7) specify any assignment of limited contact to a third party pursuant to Article 3;

(8) if the order provides for custodial responsibility in the nondeploying parent while also assigning primary custodial responsibility, visitation, or limited contact to a third party, provide a process to resolve any disputes that may arise between the nondeploying parent and the third party; and

(9) specify that the order shall terminate by further order of the court following the conclusion of deployment.

SECTION 207. ORDER FOR CHILD SUPPORT.

(a) A court that renders an order on custodial responsibility under this [article], may, on motion of either parent and with appropriate jurisdiction under [the Uniform Interstate Foreign Support Act]:

(1) enter a temporary order for child support consistent with the laws of this state; and

(2) require the deploying parent to enroll the child to receive military dependent benefits.

(b) Any order entered on child support pursuant to this [article] must state that it shall terminate by further order of this court following the conclusion of deployment.

[ARTICLE] 3

JUDICIAL ASSIGNMENT OF CUSTODIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO THIRD PARTIES

SECTION 301. DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this [article],

(a) “Close and substantial relationship” means a relationship in which a significant bond has been forged between a child and a third party by regular contact or communication.

(b) “Family member” means a sibling, aunt, uncle, cousin, or grandparent related to a child by blood, adoption, or marriage, and a stepparent of the child.

SECTION 302. ASSIGNMENT OF PRIMARY CUSTODIAL RESPONSIBILITY.

On motion of a deploying parent, and in accordance with other law of this state, the court may assign a third party who is an adult family member of the child or an adult with whom the child has a close and substantial relationship primary custodial responsibility of the child if:

(a) The assignment of custodial responsibility is for a percentage of time equal to or less than either:

(1) the amount of time assigned to the deploying parent in a permanent custody order; or

(2) in the absence of a permanent custody order, the amount of time that the deploying parent habitually cared for the child before being notified of deployment; and

(b) The assignment is in the best interests of the child. [Committee wanted full membership to consider alternative of adding: “There shall be a presumption that primary physical custody in the nondeploying parent is in the best interests of the child if the nondeploying parent seeks temporary custody.”]

SECTION 303. ASSIGNMENT OF VISITATION. On motion of a deploying parent, and in accordance with other law of this state, the court may assign a third party who is an adult family member of the child or an adult with whom the child has a close and substantial relationship visitation with the child if:

(a) the visitation time assigned is for a percentage of time equal to or less than either:

(1) the amount of time assigned to the deploying parent in a permanent custody order; or

(2) in the absence of a permanent custody order, the amount of time that the deploying parent habitually cared for the child before being notified of deployment;

the court may, however, consider atypical travel time required to transport the child between the nondeploying parent and the third party to whom visitation is assigned; and

(b) the assignment is in the best interests of the child.

SECTION 304. ASSIGNMENT OF POWERS ACCOMPANYING CUSTODIAL RESPONSIBILITY. The court may assign any of the powers of the deploying parent regarding care, custody, or property of the child to a third party to whom it assigns primary custodial responsibility or visitation. These powers include decision making powers entailed by legal custody if the deploying parent has legal custody and may not be in a position regularly to exercise his or her decision making authority with respect to the child during deployment.

SECTION 305. ASSIGNMENT OF LIMITED CONTACT.

(a) On motion of a deploying parent, and in accordance with other law of this state, the court shall assign limited contact with the child of a deploying parent to an individual who is either a family member of the child or a person with whom the child has a close and substantial relationship, unless this contact would be contrary to the best interests of the child. Except as otherwise provided in Section 306, the court shall presume allowing limited contact is in the best interests of the child. This presumption may be rebutted if the court makes specific findings of fact explaining why limited contact is not in the best interests of the child.

SECTION 306. THIRD PARTIES TO WHOM ASSIGNMENTS MAY BE MADE.

There is a rebuttable presumption that the court will not make assignments of primary custody, visitation, or limited contact to an individual:

(a) who is a registered sex offender; or

(b) who has committed an act or acts of domestic violence against a spouse, a child, or a domestic partner; or

(c) who lives in the same household with another individual who is either a registered sex offender or who has committed an act of domestic violence against a spouse, a child, or a domestic partner.

SECTION 307. NATURE OF ASSIGNMENTS. Primary custodial responsibility, visitation, or limited contact assigned to a third party under this [article] derive from the deploying parent’s right to custodial responsibility. Neither this [article] nor a court order assigning primary custodial responsibility, visitation, or limited contact under this article creates an independent or permanent right to primary custodial responsibility, visitation, or limited contact. Any assignment under this article shall end with the termination of the temporary custody order entered pursuant to Articles 2 or 3, if the assignment has not been terminated before that time by a separate order of the rendering court.

SECTION 308. STANDING TO ENFORCE ASSIGNED RIGHT. A third party who has been assigned primary custodial responsibility, visitation, or limited contact pursuant to this [act], has standing to enforce the court’s order until the assignment is terminated.

SECTION 309. DEPLOYING PARENT’S MOTION FOR MODIFICATION OR TERMINATION OF ASSIGNMENT.

(a) On motion of a deploying parent, the court shall modify the assignment of primary custodial responsibility or visitation made to a third party under this [act] if the modification comports with other sections of this article and is consistent with the best interests of the child.

(b) On motion of a deploying parent, the court shall terminate the assignment of primary custodial responsibility or visitation made to a third party under this [act] if the termination is consistent with the best interests of the child.

(c) On motion of a deploying parent, the court shall modify the assignment of limited contact made to a third party under this [act] if the modification comports with other sections of this article and is consistent with the best interests of the child.

(d) On motion of a deploying parent, the court shall terminate the assignment of limited contact made under this [act].

SECTION 310. NONDEPLOYING PARENT’S MOTION FOR MODIFICATION OR TERMINATION OF ASSIGNMENT.

(a) On motion of a nondeploying parent, the court shall modify the assignment of primary custodial responsibility, visitation, or limited contact made to a third party under this [act] if the modification otherwise comports with the terms of this article and is consistent with the best interests of the child.

(b) On motion of a nondeploying parent, the court shall terminate the assignment of primary custodial responsibility, visitation, or limited contact made to a third party under this [act] if the termination is consistent with the best interests of the child.

[ARTICLE] 4

PROCEDURES FOLLOWING RETURN FROM DEPLOYMENT

SECTION 401. VISITATION BEFORE TERMINATION OF TEMPORARY ORDER. Following return from deployment of a deploying parent until the time that a temporary order entered pursuant to Article 2 is terminated, the deploying parent has the right of reasonable contact with the child, which may include more time than the deploying parent spent with the child prior to entry of the temporary order in order to allow the deploying parent to reestablish a bond with the child and to compensate the deploying parent for time not spent with the child during deployment.

SECTION 402. CONSENT PROCEDURE FOR TERMINATING TEMPORARY CUSTODY ORDER.

(a) At any time following return from deployment, a deploying parent who seeks to terminate a temporary order of custodial responsibility entered pursuant to Article 2 may file with the court a signed consent notice of resumption of prior custody arrangement that has been signed by the deploying parent, the nondeploying parent, and any third party who has been assigned primary custodial responsibility under this [act]. The consent notice may either state that custodial responsibility should be transferred as of the date the notice is filed or that it should be transferred as of a future date certain.

(b) Once a consent notice of resumption of prior custody arrangement has been filed, the court shall enter an order terminating the temporary custody order on the date for termination specified in the consent notice.

SECTION 403. STANDARD PROCEDURE FOR TERMINATING TEMPORARY CUSTODY ORDER.

(a) Within six months following return from deployment, a deploying parent who seeks to terminate a temporary order for custodial responsibility entered pursuant to Article 2 may file with the court a notice of resumption of prior custody arrangement. The notice must state the date by which the temporary order should be terminated, which may be not sooner than [30] days after the notice is filed. A copy of the notice must be sent to the nondeploying parent and to any third party who has been assigned primary custodial responsibility during deployment, except that notice may be sent only to the court if a court order requires the address or other contact information of recipients of the notice not be disclosed. In this case, the court shall notify the nondeploying parent or third party.

(b) If the nondeploying parent or a third party who has been assigned primary custodial responsibility fails to object to the termination of the temporary order for custodial responsibility is filed within [30] days of the filing of the notice of resumption of prior custody arrangement , the court shall enter an order terminating the temporary order on the date requested by the deploying parent.

(c) If an objection to the termination of the temporary order for custodial responsibility is filed within [30] days by the nondeploying parent or a third party who has been assigned temporary primary custodial responsibility, the court shall hold an expedited hearing not later than [10] days from the filing of the objection unless an expedited hearing is waived by the deploying parent.

(d) Following the hearing, the court shall render a decision as soon as practicable. Unless the court finds that termination of the temporary order for custodial responsibility is likely to cause the child [substantial harm[U4] ], the court shall terminate the temporary custody order. In determining whether the termination of the temporary order is likely to cause the child [substantial harm], the court shall consider whether harm can be ameliorated through a gradual reversion to the previous arrangement for custodial responsibility or in some other manner.

(e) If the court determines that termination of the temporary order for custodial responsibility is likely to cause the child [substantial harm], the temporary order shall remain in effect until further order of this court or another court with jurisdiction.

SECTION 404. POST-HEARING PROCEDURES FOR MODIFICATION OR RESUMPTION OF PERMANENT CUSTODY ARRANGEMENT. If the court has determined that terminating a temporary order for custodial responsibility entered pursuant to Article 2 of this [act] would likely cause the child substantial harm;

(a) any person with standing under state law, including the deploying parent, may file a motion to modify the permanent custody order, or to enter a permanent custody order if there is no existing permanent custody. If such a motion to modify the permanent custody order is filed within six months of the court’s refusal to terminate the temporary order for custodial responsibility, the court shall hold an expedited hearing on the issue of permanent custody within [21] days from its date of filing, unless the deploying parent consents to a longer period of time.

(b) the deploying parent may file another motion to terminate the temporary order for custodial responsibility order and to resume the prior custody arrangement on the ground of changed circumstances. If such a motion is filed, the court shall hold an expedited hearing on the motion within [21] days from its date of filing, unless the deploying parent consents to a longer period of time.

[ARTICLE] 5

CONSIDERATION OF PARENT’S SERVICE IN CUSTODY PROCEEDINGS WHEN NO DEPLOYMENT IS PENDING

SECTION 501. GENERAL CONSIDERATION OF PARENT’S SERVICE IN CUSTODY PROCEEDINGS. In all proceedings for custodial responsibility of a child of a service member, except for a proceeding for temporary custody pursuant to Article 2 of this [act], the court may not consider the parent’s military service, including past deployment or possible future deployment, itself as a negative factor in determining the best interests of the child. However, the material effects on the child of the parent’s past or possible future service may be considered.

[ARTICLE] 6

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SECTION 601. UNIFORMITY OF APPLICATION AND CONSTRUCTION. In applying and construing this [uniform act], consideration must be given to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among states that enact it.

SECTION 602. RELATION TO ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES IN GLOBAL AND NATIONAL COMMERCE ACT. This [act] modifies, limits, and supersedes the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, 15 U.S.C. Section 7001, et seq., but does not modify, limit, or supersede Section 101(c) of that act, 15 U.S.C. Section 7001(c), or authorize electronic delivery of any of the notices described in Section 103(b) of that act, 15 U.S.C. Section 7003(b).

SECTION 603. EFFECTIVE DATE. This [act] takes effect . . . .