HB 239 Summary

• Creates the Uniform Deployed Parents Custody and Visitation Act to establish procedures for temporary custody arrangements when a military service member is deployed for more than 90 days but less than 18 months.

• Allows deploying parents and other parents to enter written agreements granting temporary custodial responsibility to the other parent or to a nonparent family member, with specified provisions for caretaking authority, decision-making authority, communication, and contact during deployment.

• Authorizes courts to issue temporary custody orders during deployment without the deploying parent's consent, but prohibits permanent custody orders without consent, and requires expedited hearings and allows testimony by electronic means.

• Provides that temporary custody agreements and court orders terminate automatically 60 days after the deploying parent returns from deployment unless the parties agree otherwise, and grants the deploying parent reasonable contact with the child during and after the temporary arrangement.

• Amends existing Mississippi custody and child support statutes to reference the new deployment-related custody procedures and clarifies that military deployment itself cannot be considered grounds for modifying custody absent a significant impact on the child's best interests.