MA H1925

Amends Chapter 119, Section 39D of Massachusetts General Laws to expand eligibility for grandparents and relatives to petition for visitation rights when parents are deceased, divorced, separated, living apart, or when there is a compelling state interest to protect the child from harm

Establishes specific grounds for courts to grant visitation, including when there is a significant positive relationship between the grandparent/relative and child, when the child is dependent, neglected, or abused, or when the grandparent/relative served as primary caregiver for at least 6 consecutive months

Creates a presumption of emotional harm to the child when ending a significant existing relationship with a grandparent/relative, when the grandparent/relative served as primary caregiver, or upon the death of a parent

Eliminates the requirement for expert witness testimony to establish a significant relationship or potential harm from losing the relationship

Requires mandatory mediation after petition filing (except in domestic violence cases), with full court hearings scheduled within 60 days if mediation fails