MO SB731

Adds section 452.413 to Missouri law establishing custody and visitation procedures for military parents who are deployed or have received deployment orders with the U.S. military or National Guard.

Courts cannot enter a final custody or visitation modification order until 90 days after deployment ends, and deployment alone cannot be the sole basis for permanent custody changes.

Existing custody or visitation orders may be temporarily modified during deployment to accommodate the parties, with temporary orders automatically ending 30 days after the deploying parent's return and original terms reinstated.

Courts may delegate a deploying parent's visitation rights to a family member with a close relationship to the child during deployment if in the child's best interest, but such delegation terminates when deployment ends and cannot be granted to anyone with a history of domestic violence.

Deploying parents may present testimony and evidence by affidavit or electronic means (telephone, video conference, or internet) when military duties prevent in-person appearance, and courts must appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the child's interests if proceeding in the deployed parent's absence.