FL S0158

Amends Florida law to provide additional grounds for grandparent visitation by allowing courts to award visitation rights when a parent of the child (who is the grandparent's son or daughter) is deceased and the grandparent had a prior relationship with the child.

Changes the legal standard from "when" to "if" it is in the best interest of the minor child, and from "if" to "and" to clarify that best interest must be demonstrated alongside the statutory grounds.

Preserves existing grounds for grandparent visitation including dissolution of parents' marriage, parental desertion, and children born out of wedlock.

Takes effect July 1, 2012.