Latest News from State Capitol and 55th District

November 20, 2025

Protecting Custody Rights of Deployed Military Parents

Approaching the end of November, I want to extend my gratitude to those who have served our great nation. I can’t say it enough: Every freedom, right and privilege we as Americans have, are because of those who took an oath to defend the United States.

In speaking with veterans, I know being deployed away from those we love is an incredible sacrifice. This is why I happily supported Act 40 of 2025, which protects a parent’s rights during military deployment.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, those in the military have the highest divorce rate compared to any other occupation.

While being married is certainly a blessing, it can also be quite challenging. Young couples must find compromise on a variety of issues including career choice, finances and possibly raising children. I can only imagine the additional stresses a young family encounters if a spouse is serving overseas.

Act 40 fixes Pennsylvania child-custody law by preventing any permanent modification of custody or visitation orders while a parent is deployed. The law stops litigants from using the fact of deployment as a reason to alter existing custody arrangements.

The new law also allows parents to delegate visitation rights during deployment and encourages continued communication between parents and children through modern means, such as video calls, when in-person contact is not possible.

The statute establishes a clear and fair process for military parents deploying on official orders. It allows temporary custody arrangements before deployment and reinstates the prior custody order upon the parent’s return. Courts may issue temporary orders permitting another family member with a close relationship to the child to provide care during the deployment. The law further directs courts not to treat a parent’s military service as a negative factor in custody decisions and authorizes electronic participation in hearings when military duties prevent appearing in person.

As I reviewed the proposal, I put myself in the place of a young child. It is widely known that children need and deserve stability and predictability. 

The new law was passed in both the House and Senate without opposition and was signed into law last month.

Also related to miliary service, I want to also call attention to Act 10 of 2025, which was signed into law earlier this year. 

It is a little-known fact approximately 3,000 Korean veterans of the Vietnam War became naturalized U.S. citizens, many of whom live here in Pennsylvania. These are veterans of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces (South Korea), who fought alongside U.S. service members and eventually became American citizens. For many years, however, they were denied veterans benefits.

The inequity was corrected in Washington, D.C., when the Federal Korean American Vietnam Allies Long Overdue for Relief Act (VALOR Act) was signed into law in November 2023.

With the passage of Act 10 in Harrisburg, veterans of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces who served in the Vietnam War between Jan. 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, and who are eligible for benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, are entitled to the same state benefits as other Pennsylvania veterans. 

Here are some additional news topics and reminders I would like to share.

Happy Thanksgiving! - For centuries, Americans have come together in the spirit of thanksgiving. From the earliest traditions that began in Plymouth, Mass., in 1621 to the first official national observance in 1863, families have gathered in November to celebrate bountiful harvests and all that has been given to them.

In honor of the Thanksgiving holiday, state offices will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 27, and Friday, Nov. 28, including my offices. PennDOT Driver License Centers will be closed on those dates as well, though many services are available online at dmv.pa.gov.  

From my family to yours, may you all have a safe, healthy and happy Thanksgiving.

Hunters Can Share Their Harvest - The state Department of Agriculture and Pennsylvania Game Commission are again encouraging hunters to consider sharing their deer harvest to provide thousands of pounds of venison to people in need.

Hunters Sharing the Harvest (HSH) is Pennsylvania’s venison donation program for hunters who share their extra venison via a statewide network of participating meat processors to food pantries and community assistance centers across the Commonwealth. One deer provides about 200 servings of high-protein, low-fat venison. 

HSH has distributed 3 million pounds of donated venison since 1991. More information about the program and how to participate is available at sharedeer.org. 

Supporting Small Businesses - Consider showing some love to the small businesses in our community throughout the holiday season but especially on Small Business Saturday, which is coming up on Saturday, Nov. 29. Launched by American Express in 2010, this day is celebrated each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving to encourage people to support the small businesses that help drive the economies of our communities. 



Representative Jill Cooper
55th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724.875.8450
jfrei@pahousegop.com
RepJillCooper.com / Facebook.com/RepJillCooper