| In another sense, the six-month extended home state |
jurisdiction provision is this Act is narrower than the |
comparable provision in the PKPA. The PKPA's definition of |
extended home State is more expansive because it applies whenever |
a "contestant" remains in the home State. That class of |
individuals has been eliminated in this Act. This Act retains |
the original UCCJA classification of "parent or person acting as |
parent" to define who must remain for a State to exercise the |
six-month extended home state jurisdiction. This eliminates the |
undesirable jurisdictional determinations which would occur as a |
result of differing state substantive laws on visitation |
involving grandparents and others. For example, if State A's law |
provided that grandparents could obtain visitation with a child |
after the death of one of the parents, then the grandparents, who |
would be considered "contestants" under the PKPA, could file a |
proceeding within six months after the remaining parent moved and |
have the case heard in State A. However, if State A did not |
provide that grandparents could seek visitation under such |
circumstances, the grandparents would not be considered |
"contestants" and State B where the child acquired a new home |
State would provide the only forum. This Act bases jurisdiction |
on the parent and child or person acting as a parent and child |
relationship without regard to grandparents or other potential |
seekers of custody or visitation. There is no conflict with the |
broader provision of the PKPA. The PKPA in § (c)(1) authorizes |
States to narrow the scope of their jurisdiction. |