HB 1913 Summary

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

• 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 the evidence showing denial would cause significant harm.

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

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

• Takes effect upon approval with no retroactive application to rights, penalties, or proceedings that existed before the effective date.