IN SB0028

Extends visitation rights eligibility to great-grandparents, previously available only to grandparents, when a child's parent is deceased, parents' marriage is dissolved, child was born out of wedlock, or when family estrangement has caused termination of visits

Allows grandparents and great-grandparents to seek visitation when they previously had meaningful contact with a child but the parent terminated visits due to estrangement between the parent and grandparent/great-grandparent

Establishes specific factors courts must consider for best interests determinations, including the child's age and sex, wishes of all parties, mental and physical health of individuals involved, evidence of domestic violence, and whether the grandparent/great-grandparent has cared for the child

Authorizes courts to order a party in grandparent/great-grandparent visitation proceedings to pay reasonable costs for the other party's attorney's fees and mediation expenses, with exemptions for Title IV-D agencies

Takes effect immediately upon passage as emergency legislation