More legislation is being proposed by Senator Koster in the area of family law. This new bill, SB 495 (identical to HB 470) will repeal sections in Chapter 452 and enact others in lieu thereof. The new statutes will be known as the "Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act" and will replace the current law known as the "Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act". The new provisions will limit child custody jurisdiction to one state, avoid competing orders, and provide enforcement provisions for child custody orders. This new Act defines what the home state of the child is and vests exclusive and continuing jurisdiction over child custody in that home state. The home state is defined as the state where the child has lived with a parent for six consecutive months prior to the commencement of the proceeding, or since birth for children younger than six months. It also allows for "significant connections" to establish jurisdiction If the child has not lived in any state for at least six months. Where there is a question of which state should have jurisdiction, procedures are established to determine which state has the most signicant connections with the child. The Act also establishes how modifications of custody orders may be made by a state other than the original issuing state and provides for temporary emergency orders if a child is in danger and needs immediate protection.
If this bill is passed and signed into law by Governor Blunt, the effective date will be August 28, 2007. To read the full bill, go to Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act .
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