Turner Amendment Protects Deployed Service Members' Parental Rights

Press Release

Turner Amendment Protects Deployed Service Members' Parental Rights

An amendment to the FY 2008 DOD Authorization Bill offered by Rep. Michael R. Turner, (R-Centerville) will help protect the parental custody rights of service members while deployed.

"Recently a number of cases have come to light, where service members who have been deployed have had their military service used against them in custody hearings," said Rep. Turner. "These brave men and women sacrifice in service of our country. To use that service against them as a parent is inexcusable, and something that the amendment I offered corrects legislatively."

The amendment prevents courts from permanently changing the custody of a service member's child during that service member's period of deployment. The amendment further advises the courts that it may not use the service member's absence during their deployment against that service member in custody decisions.

The amendment provides an exception for temporary orders issued in the best interest of the child; upon completion of a service member's military service, any original custody order goes back into effect.

The amendment was accepted by voice vote.

Source