CT HB05313

Repeals and replaces Section 46b-59 of the general statutes to establish new standards for grandparent visitation rights, effective October 1, 2010.

Superior Court may grant visitation rights to any person for minor children based on the best interest of the child and court-determined conditions, provided visitation orders cannot require financial support obligations.

For grandparent visitation applications specifically, the court must grant an order if the grandparent demonstrates by clear and convincing evidence that visitation is in the child's best interest AND meets at least one of three conditions: (1) the child's parent has been absent for a significant period, (2) the grandparent's relationship with the child has been parental in nature for a substantial period, or (3) the child will suffer real and substantial harm or neglect without visitation.

Visitation rights granted under this section do not create parental rights in the person receiving visitation and do not prevent courts from later acting on custody, parental rights, or adoption matters.