As used in the Deployed Parents Custody and Visitation Act:

1. “Close and substantial relationship” means a relationship in which a bond has been forged between the child and the other person by regular contact or communication;

2. “Custodial responsibility” refers to legal custody, physical custody or visitation rights with respect to a child;

3. “Deploying parent” means a legal parent of a minor child or the legal guardian of a child, who is a member of the United States Armed Forces and who is deployed or has been notified of an impending deployment;

4. “Deployment” means the temporary transfer of a servicemember in compliance with official orders to another location in support of combat, contingency operation, or natural disaster requiring the use of orders for a period of more than thirty (30) consecutive days, during which family members are not authorized to accompany the servicemember at government expense. Deployment shall include any period during which a servicemember is absent from duty on account of sickness, wounds, leave or other lawful cause;

5. “Guardian” means a person who has been appointed as a guardian of a minor or incapacitated adult pursuant to the requirements of Title 30 of the Oklahoma Statutes. The term shall include a limited guardian, but shall not include a guardian ad litem;

6. “Nondeploying parent” means a legal parent or guardian who is not deployed and who has a child or ward in common with a deploying parent;

7. “Servicemember” means a member of either:

a.the active or reserve components of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard, or

b.the active or reserve components of the National Guard; and

8. “Visitation” means the right to take a child for a limited period of time to a place other than the habitual residence of the child.