Turner to meet with Defense Secretary Gates U.S. Representative Michael R. Turner (R-Ohio-3) received a verbal commitment from Defense Secretary Robert Gates to meet and discuss legislation he has introduced to protect the child custody rights of military parents.
During a House Armed Services Committee hearing Wednesday morning, Secretary Gates committed to meet with Rep. Turner to discuss enhancing child custody rights for service members. Last year, Rep. Turner wrote Secretary Gates on two occasions requesting a meeting to discuss the Defense Department's opposition to his legislation.
"I look forward to meeting with Secretary Gates to discuss the Defense Department's opposition to strengthening child custody rights for military personnel," said Rep. Turner, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee. "Military parents don't expect to find themselves fighting two battles: fighting for their country while at the same time fighting to keep custody of their children."
Due to the varied custody laws in each state, some state courts have used a military parent's deployment or even the possibility of deployment as a factor in awarding child custody. This may result in a change in child custody rights due to the parent's military service obligations.
On four occasions since 2007, the U.S. House has passed provisions Rep. Turner authored to add custody protections for military parents to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Turner re-introduced his legislation, H.R. 4469, in January.
Rep. Turner's legislation precludes courts from permanently altering an existing custody agreement while a military parent is deployed. Additionally, upon the service member's return from deployment, any temporary change in custody arrangements would immediately be reversed, unless the reinstatement of custody is not in the best interest of the child. Finally, Rep. Turner's legislation would not allow courts to consider a military parent's deployment or possibility of deployment as a basis for determining the best interest of the child in custody court cases.
"I am committed to working with Secretary Gates and the Defense Department on this issue as long as necessary to ensure that the custodial rights of our military are protected," Rep. Turner added.
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