Bills › 89th General Assembly
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 12, 2021
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 12, 2021
- Stopped: Senate committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: House committee
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The 2022 session adjourned on May 24, 2022, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary If a grandparent or great-grandparent asks a court for visitation rights and someone objects, the court must pause the case and send everyone to mediation. If the family reaches an agreement during mediation, they can file it with the court to end the case. If they cannot agree, the case will move forward to a formal hearing.1
Read the official explanation
This bill relates to grandparent and great-grandparent visitation. Under current law, a grandparent or great-grandparent may only petition the court for visitation of a minor child if the parent of the minor child, who is the child of the grandparent or the grandchild of the great-grandparent, is deceased. The court may only grant such visitation if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that granting such visitation is in the best interest of the child, the presumption that the parent of the child is fit to make the decision regarding visitation is overcome, and the grandparent or great-grandparent has established a substantial relationship with the child prior to the filing of the petition. Under the bill, if a party objects to the petition filed, the court shall stay the proceedings and refer the parties to mediation. If an agreement is reached through mediation, the parties are required to file the signed agreement with the court for approval and the court is required to dismiss the petition. _____ the petition unless the petition is otherwise dismissed or withdrawn. The costs of mediation provided shall be borne by the petitioner.
Senate subcommittee
Named January 12, 2021. It hasn’t reported yet.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
Family tree
Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title.
Tried before
This idea has been filed in an earlier General Assembly. None got through a chamber.
- SF 10 Relating to grandparent and great-grandparent visitation88th General Assembly · Renumbered as SF 522 · same titleCleared committee
Matched by wording or an identical title.