HB 2638 Summary

• Permits grandparents to petition family court for reasonable visitation rights with grandchildren if denial would cause significant demonstrable harm to the child.

• Establishes a rebuttable presumption that parents' decisions regarding grandparent visitation are in the child's best interests, which can only be overcome by clear and convincing evidence of significant harm.

• Requires Hawaii to be the child's home state at the time the petition is filed and mandates due notice to all living parents and custodians before any hearing.

• Identifies nine factors courts may consider when determining visitation, including the nature of the pre-existing relationship, prior visitation history, financial support provided, family violence concerns, and violations of protective orders.

• Makes visitation orders enforceable by the court with authority to issue additional orders necessary to enforce compliance in the child's best interests.