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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>353580</law_id><section_number>20-146.38</section_number><catch_line>Construction of provisions; purposes of act</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2026/" slug="2026" current="TRUE" last_updated="2026-08-02">2026</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="56" identifier="20">Domestic Relations</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="15" identifier="7.1">Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="4" identifier="4">Miscellaneous Provisions [Repealed]</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> The general purposes of this act are to: <a id="paragraph-1317273" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-146.38/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Avoid jurisdictional competition and conflict with <span class="dictionary">courts</span> of other states in matters of child <span class="dictionary">custody</span> that have in the past resulted in the shifting of children from state to state with harmful effects on their well-being; <a id="paragraph-1317274" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-146.38/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Promote cooperation with the <span class="dictionary">courts</span> of other states to the end that a <span class="dictionary">custody</span> <span class="dictionary">decree</span> is rendered in that state that can best decide the case in the interest of the child; <a id="paragraph-1317275" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-146.38/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Ensure that <span class="dictionary">litigation</span> concerning the <span class="dictionary">custody</span> of a child take place ordinarily in the state with which the child and his family have the closest connection and where significant <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> concerning his care, protection, training, and personal relationships is most readily available, and that <span class="dictionary">courts</span> of this state decline the exercise of <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> when the child and his family have a closer connection with another state; <a id="paragraph-1317276" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-146.38/#A3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Discourage continuing controversies over child <span class="dictionary">custody</span> in the interest of greater stability of home environment and of secure family relationships for the child; <a id="paragraph-1317277" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-146.38/#A4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> Deter abductions and other unilateral removals of children undertaken to obtain <span class="dictionary">custody</span> awards; <a id="paragraph-1317278" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-146.38/#A5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A6" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> Avoid relitigation of <span class="dictionary">custody</span> decisions of other states in this Commonwealth insofar as feasible; <a id="paragraph-1317279" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-146.38/#A6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A7" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> Facilitate the enforcement of <span class="dictionary">custody</span> <span class="dictionary">decrees</span> of other states; <a id="paragraph-1317280" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-146.38/#A7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A8" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">8.</span> Promote and expand the exchange of information and other forms of mutual assistance between the <span class="dictionary">courts</span> of this Commonwealth and those of other states concerned with the same child; and <a id="paragraph-1317281" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-146.38/#A8"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A9" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">9.</span> Make uniform the <span class="dictionary">law</span> of those states that enact it. <a id="paragraph-1317282" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-146.38/#A9"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> This act shall be construed to promote the general purposes stated in this section. <a id="paragraph-1317283" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-146.38/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2001, c. 305.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
