AR HB1568

Amends Arkansas Code § 9-13-103(b)(1) to allow grandparent visitation when the marital relationship between parents has been severed by death, divorce, or legal separation.

Creates new Arkansas Code § 9-13-111 establishing visitation rights for grandparents and great-grandparents when a child's parent is deceased, missing, or in a permanent vegetative state.

Requires petitioners to prove by preponderance of evidence that visitation is in the child's best interest, including demonstrating capacity to provide love and affection and that loss of the relationship would harm the child.

Defines "reasonable visitation" as a period comfortable to all parties, ranging from a minimum of one week per year to a maximum of four weeks per year.

Permits courts to require the petitioner to pay the other party's attorney fees if the case is determined to be without merit, and excludes application to dependency-neglect proceedings under the Arkansas Juvenile Code.