HB 13-1200 Summary

• Establishes the "Uniform Deployed Parents Custody and Visitation Act" to address custody and visitation arrangements when military service members are deployed for 90 days to 18 months.

• Allows parents to enter into written interim agreements allocating caretaking and decision-making authority during deployment, with provisions for nonparent relatives or close family friends to assume temporary custody.

• Enables courts to issue interim custody orders during deployment without the deploying parent's consent, but prohibits permanent custody orders without that consent, protecting the deploying parent's parental rights.

• Requires deploying parents to notify the other parent within 12 calendar days of receiving deployment orders and provide a plan for fulfilling custodial responsibilities during absence.

• Automatically terminates all interim custody agreements and orders 35 days after the deploying parent returns from deployment, unless parents agree to an earlier termination date.