FL S1644

Authorizes grandparents to petition for court-ordered visitation if the minor child was left in their exclusive care for at least 6 months within 1 year before filing the petition.

Maintains existing grounds for grandparent visitation when both parents are deceased/missing/in persistent vegetative state, or one parent is deceased/missing/in persistent vegetative state and the other parent is convicted of a felony or violent offense.

Requires courts to hold a preliminary hearing to determine if petitioner has shown prima facie evidence of parental unfitness or significant mental or emotional harm to the child.

Establishes specific criteria courts must consider when assessing significant mental or emotional harm to the child, including the child's age, nature of parent's provision for the child's needs, parent's criminal history, and whether ending contact with the grandparent would place the child in an intolerable situation.

Effective date is July 1, 2017.