Mike Turner George Voinovich
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Turner Lauds Senator Voinovich for Offering Amendment that Protects Custody Rights of Military Parents

Turner Authored Companion Legislation and Was Original House Sponsor

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael R. Turner (OH-03) today thanked Senator George Voinovich (R-OH) for his work in introducing an amendment in the Senate that works to protect the child custody rights of deployed military parents. Congressman Turner has been a lead advocate on the issue in the House of Representatives and authored the companion legislation in the House, H.R. 6048. This child custody legislation sponsored by Rep. Turner has passed the House of Representatives on three separate occasions.

“Senator Voinovich has long been an advocate for our men and women in uniform and his sponsorship of this amendment reflects this,” Congressman Turner said. “I congratulate him for his work on behalf of military families and appreciate his leadership on this issue.”

Military parents have been penalized for their military service and deployment during child custody proceedings. The amendment introduced by Senator Voinovich and Congressman Turner includes three main conditions: 1) no court may permanently alter an existing custody agreement while a military parent is deployed; 2) upon the return of the service member from deployment, any temporary change in custody shall be immediately reversed; and 3) no court may consider a military parent’s deployment or possible deployment as a basis for terminating permanent custody.

“No parent, courageous and honorable enough to volunteer to serve in the U.S. military, should have their time spent overseas in defense of our nation used against them in their custody disputes,” Congressman Turner said. “These brave men and women are heroes and deserve our deepest gratitude. I am proud of the work that we have done in advocating for military families and I am committed to working with Senator Voinovich to protect their interests in the future.”