CT HB05608

Allows grandparents to petition Superior Court for visitation rights with grandchildren based on two grounds: (1) a parent-like relationship exists and denial would cause real and significant harm, or (2) compelling circumstances exist that overcome the presumption that parental decisions to deny visitation are in the child's best interest.

Requires grandparent petitions to include specific, good-faith allegations supporting at least one of the two grounds listed above.

Maintains existing provisions allowing non-grandparent individuals to petition for visitation rights, but limits their grounds to proving a parent-like relationship exists and denial would cause real and significant harm.

Court must award visitation rights upon finding clear and convincing evidence that the applicable legal standards are met.

Effective date of October 1, 2016.