Custodial plans created for children of deployed parents

Military parents can establish custodial plans for their children during deployment under a bill passed by senators Feb. 20.

LB219, introduced by Bellevue Sen. Sue Crawford, provides a legal framework for parents and judges regarding care for children when a military parent is deployed. The law also clarifies parenting arrangements required when a deployed parent returns.

The law allows families with deployed parents to create a temporary custodial agreement that specifies how decisions for the child will be made, the frequency and duration of contact with parents and nonparents and how the agreement could be changed.

Courts may grant temporary caretaking authority to parents or nonparents, grant decision-making authority to nonparents and enforce a prior written agreement by the parents regarding custodial responsibility.

Lawmakers passed the bill on a 49-0 vote.