HB1786 Summary

• Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes section 571-46.3 to allow grandparents to petition for reasonable visitation rights with their grandchildren if denial of visitation would cause significant harm to the child.

• Establishes a rebuttable presumption that a parent's decision regarding grandparent visitation is in the child's best interests, which may be rebutted by a preponderance of the evidence showing denial would cause significant harm.

• Specifies 13 factors the court may consider when determining whether to award visitation, including the nature of the pre-existing relationship, financial support provided, the child's preference, and relevant factors from child protective proceedings.

• Requires that Hawaii be the child's home state at the time of the proceeding and that all living parents and custodians receive due notice before any hearing.

• Takes effect upon approval and does not affect rights, penalties, or proceedings that were begun before the effective date.