Statutes: South Dakota

In a proceeding for custodial responsibility of a child of a servicemember, a court may not consider a parent’s past deployment or possible future deployment in itself in determining the best interest of the child. However, if upon return from the deployment either the servicemember or child exhibits a substantial and material change in circumstances that adversely affects the servicemember’s ability to adequately care for the child, the best interests of the child shall be determinative.