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IN SB0018
Bill
Status
1/6/2015
Primary Sponsor
Lonnie Randolph
Click for details
AI Summary
SB 0018 Summary
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Expands grandparent and great-grandparent visitation rights to include cases where a grandparent or great-grandparent had meaningful contact with the child but the parent terminated visits due to estrangement.
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Allows great-grandparents to seek visitation rights with their great-grandchildren in certain circumstances, including when a parent is deceased, parents' marriage is dissolved, or the child was born out of wedlock.
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Establishes court factors for determining best interests of the child in visitation cases, including the child's age, wishes, interaction with grandparents/great-grandparents, mental and physical health of all involved, and evidence of domestic or family violence.
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Authorizes courts to order parties in grandparent or great-grandparent visitation actions to pay reasonable costs for the other party, including attorney's fees and mediation expenses; exempts certain agencies authorized under federal Social Security Act from paying costs.
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Effective upon passage.
Legislative Description
Grandparent and great-grandparent visitation. Grandparent and great-grandparent visitation. Allows great-grandparents to seek visitation rights with their great-grandchildren in certain circumstances. Allows a grandparent or great-grandparent to seek visitation if the grandparent or great-grandparent has had meaningful contact with the child but, as a result of an estrangement between the parent of the child and the grandparent or great-grandparent, the parent of the child terminated the child's visits with the grandparent or great-grandparent. Establishes factors for the court to consider in determining whether granting a grandparent or great-grandparent visitation rights is in the best interests of the child. Provides that a
Last Action
Senator Rogers added as coauthor
1/15/2015