FL H0861

Expands circumstances under which grandparents may petition for court-ordered visitation with a minor child, adding a new category when one parent is deceased, missing, or in a persistent vegetative state and the child resided with the grandparent for at least 6 months during the preceding 12-month period

Requires the child must not have lived with the surviving parent for at least 6 months during that same period, and eliminating grandparent contact must pose a substantial threat of harm to the child's physical, mental, or emotional well-being

Maintains existing provisions allowing grandparent visitation petitions when both parents are deceased, missing, or in a persistent vegetative state, or when one parent meets those conditions and the other has been convicted of a felony or violent offense threatening the child

Courts must hold preliminary hearings to determine prima facie showing of parental unfitness or significant harm, and may dismiss petitions and award attorney fees to respondents if threshold not met

Takes effect July 1, 2026