Rep. Craig Williams’ bill, the Uniform Deployed Parents Custody and Visitation Act, has passed unanimously in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. The legislation aims to update and standardize custody and visitation protections for deployed military parents.
Williams, a retired Marine Corps Colonel, highlighted the importance of maintaining the parent-child bond during active service. “Military parents should not have to sacrifice their rights at home while they are serving overseas,” he stated. “This legislation ensures that deployment cannot be used against a parent in custody proceedings and provides a clear, fair standard across the Commonwealth. It is the right step for our service members and their children.”
House Bill 414 prevents permanent custody changes during a parent’s deployment and allows for delegated visitation rights. It also encourages continued communication between parents and children through modern means like video calls when in-person visits are not possible.
The measure aligns Pennsylvania with 17 other states that have adopted this uniform standard. It has garnered support from organizations such as the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. The Uniform Law Commission has been instrumental in promoting this legislation nationally.
“I want to thank my colleagues for recognizing the urgency and fairness of this bill,” Williams said. “The unanimous support for this legislation affirms our commitment to standing with those who serve our country in uniform.”
House Bill 414 will now proceed to the Senate for consideration.
