To prohibit a court in a child custody dispute from considering a military reservist or national guard member’s absence while called to active duty when making the “best interest of the child” determination that is the basis on which custody decisions are made. A court could not make an initial child custody ruling or alter an existing one based on the active duty military parent’s separation from the child, and could not make a “permanent custodial environment” determination until the soldier has returned from duty. The bill was introduced in response to a mumber of child custody disputes like the one involving National Guard Spc. Joe McNeilly, an Iraq war veteran.   Official Text and Analysis.

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the main effect of the bill. See House-passed bill for details.

To extend the same limitations on court-ordered custody decisions to a person injured in a federal disaster relief effort.

To eliminate the provision that applies to the “best interest of the child” determination that is the basis on which custody decisions are made, and limit the bill to only allowing a change in a custody arrangement during the parent's active duty if there is clear and convincing evidence that it is the best interest of the child. However, the parent's absence due to active military duty still could not be used as grounds for this "best interest" determination.

To prohibit a court in a child custody dispute involving a parent who is a military reservist or national guard member from changing an established custodial environment while that parent has been called to active duty, unless there is clear and convincing evidence that the change is the best interest of the child. However, the parent's active duty absence could not be considered in making this "best interest" determination. The bill was introduced in response to a mumber of child custody disputes like the one involving National Guard Spc. Joe McNeilly, an Iraq war veteran.

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance of the bill as previously described.

To concur with the Senate-passed version of the bill.