As a member of a military family, I've experienced firsthand the heartache and challenges of long deployments, especially when it comes to being separated from our children. Serving our country is an honor, but it should not come at the cost of losing valuable custody time with our children. Unfortunately, due to current laws, many military parents face this daunting reality. 

Military parents, like my husband, and step-families should not lose access to seeing or speaking to their children simply because they are fulfilling their service duties away from home. This lack of protection in child custody and visitation rights during deployments is an unwanted consequence that unfairly impacts families who already sacrifice so much for our nation. We should not have to choose between serving our country and maintaining our parental rights.

The Uniformed Deployed Parents Custody and Visitation Act provides a clear framework to protect the rights of deployed parents. By enacting this legislation, we can ensure that military parents have the ability to maintain quality relationships and consistent communication with their children, regardless of their deployment status.

Several states have already seen the profound positive impacts this law has had. States like Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Virginia have set the standard by adopting the Uniformed Deployed Parents Custody and Visitation Act, which allows deployed service members to delegate their parental rights to a family member during deployment, ensuring their children’s well-being is prioritized even when they're away.

I urge our local legislator to champion this vital protection for military families in our community. We need to follow the example of other states and adopt the Uniformed Deployed Parents Custody and Visitation Act to safeguard our service members’ rights. Together, we can provide the necessary support to those who serve by ensuring their families are cared for, both legally and emotionally. My husband and I have asked Delegate Jessica Feldmark, the Delegate for our district, to introduce this bill to the Maryland legislative session, but she has refused.

Join me in calling on our local lawmakers to stand with our military families. Sign this petition to let them know that they have our support in making the necessary legislative changes to protect military parents' rights across our state. Your signature can make a difference in keeping military families connected amidst their service to our country.