15 Pennsylvania Transaction Guide--Legal Forms § 269.41
Summary
- [1] Scope of Act.
The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) [23 Pa. Cons. Stat. §§ 5401–5482] (effective 8/15/2004) replaced the prior Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act. The UCCJEA is designed to deter interstate parental kidnapping and promote the uniform application of jurisdiction and enforcement provisions in interstate child-custody and visitation cases. It governs state courts’ jurisdiction to make and modify child custody determinations including those associated with proceedings for divorce, separation, neglect, abuse, dependency, guardianship, paternity, termination of parental rights, and protection from domestic violence [see 23 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5402]. It is not applicable to child support proceedings and adoption cases [see 23 Pa. Cons. Stat. §§ 5402, 5403]. The Act governs jurisdiction and enforcement matters only; it does not provide standards for substantive custody cases.
- [2] Jurisdictional Bases for Initial Child Custody Determination