Senate Bill 1122 - Summary

• Adds Idaho Code Section 32-720 to establish procedures for child custody modification petitions when a party is a servicemember subject to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App. § 501 et seq.).

• Allows courts to enter temporary custody modification orders only during a servicemember's deployment period; these orders expire 60 days after the court is notified of the servicemember's return from deployment.

• Permits courts to conduct expedited or emergency hearings if a motion is filed before expiration alleging the order's expiration would not serve the child's best interests, and extends temporary orders until the court rules on such motions.

• Requires courts to enter temporary orders granting deployed parents reasonable contact with their child upon return from deployment unless contrary to the child's best interests.

• Authorizes courts to allow expedited hearings for servicemembers whose deployment affects their ability to appear at scheduled custody hearings and permits servicemembers to present testimony and evidence by electronic means (telephone, video teleconference, or internet) with reasonable advance notice.