S.F. No. 73 - Summary

• Establishes the Uniform Deployed Parents Custody and Visitation Act (Chapter 518E) to address child custody and visitation arrangements when military service members deploy.

• Amends custody determination standards to prohibit courts from considering only a service member's past or possible future deployment when determining the child's best interests.

• Creates procedures for temporary custody agreements between parents during deployment, including powers of attorney that allow deploying parents to delegate custodial responsibility to nonparents.

• Establishes judicial procedures for court-ordered temporary custody grants during deployment, requiring expedited hearings within 30 days and allowing testimony by electronic means.

• Provides automatic termination of deployment-related custody orders 60 days after the deploying parent returns from service, unless the parties file an agreement to terminate earlier or continue the arrangement.