REPORT ON CHILD CUSTODY LITIGATION INVOLVING SERVICE OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.

SEC. 572. REPORT ON CHILD CUSTODY LITIGATION INVOLVING SERVICE OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.(a) Report Required.—Not later than March 31, 2010, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on all known reported cases since September 2003 involving child custody disputes in which the service of a member of the Armed Forces, whether a member of a regular component of the Armed Forces or a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces, was an issue in the custody dispute.(b) Elements.—The report required by subsection (a) shall include the following:(1) A statement of the total number of cases, by Armed Force, in which members of the Armed Forces have lost custody of a child as a result of deployment, or the prospect of deployment, under military orders.(2) A summary of applicable Federal law pertaining to child custody disputes involving members of the Armed Forces.(3) An analysis of the litigation history of all available reported cases involving child custody disputes in which the deployment of a member of the Armed Forces was an issue in the dispute, and a discussion of the rationale presented by deciding judges and courts of the reasons for their rulings.(4) An assessment of the nature and extent of the problem, if any, for members of the Armed Forces who are custodial parents in being able to deploy and perform their operational mission while continuing to fulfill their role as parents with sole or joint custody of minor children.(5) A discussion of measures being taken by the States, or which are under consideration by State legislatures, to address matters relating to child custody disputes in which one of the parties is a member of the Armed Forces, and an assessment of whether State legislatures and State courts are cognizant of issues involving members of the Armed Forces with minor children.(6) A discussion of Family Care Plan policies aimed at ensuring that appropriate measures are taken by members of the Armed Forces to avoid litigation in child custody disputes.(7) Such recommendations as the Secretary considers appropriate regarding how best to assist members of the Armed Forces who are single, custodial parents with respect to child custody disputes in connection with the performance of military duties, including the need for legislative or administrative action to provide such assistance.123 STAT. 2318(8) Such other recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the Secretary considers appropriate.