A more thorough explanation:

The Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act (PKPA) is a federal law that sets national standards for determining jurisdiction in interstate custody disputes. This means that when parents in different states are fighting over custody of their child, the PKPA determines which state has the authority to make decisions about the child's custody.

For example, if a mother and father live in different states and are getting a divorce, the PKPA would determine which state's court has the authority to make decisions about the custody of their child. If the mother lives in California and the father lives in New York, the PKPA would determine which state's court has the authority to make decisions about the child's custody.

The PKPA does not require states to exercise jurisdiction over custody issues, but it does require states to comply with its jurisdictional provisions when giving full faith and credit to decrees from sister states. This means that if a court in one state has already made a custody decision, other states must recognize and enforce that decision if it meets the requirements of the PKPA.

Overall, the PKPA helps to prevent parental kidnapping and ensures that custody decisions are made in the best interests of the child.