HB 296 Summary

• Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 571-46.3 to require courts to find that denial of reasonable grandparent visitation would cause significant harm to the child before awarding visitation rights.

• Establishes a rebuttable presumption that a parent's decision regarding grandparent visitation is in the child's best interest, which can be overcome by preponderance of evidence showing significant harm to the child.

• Requires that all living parents and child custodians receive actual or constructive notice of grandparent visitation petitions and hearings.

• Directs courts to apply the same standards, considerations, and procedures used for parent visitation under Section 571-46 when awarding grandparent visitation.

• Makes violations of grandparent visitation orders subject to court sanctions in accordance with Section 571-81 (contempt of court procedures).