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MD SB1004

Bill

Status

Introduced

2/10/2025

Primary Sponsor

Joanne Benson

Click for details

Origin

Senate

2025 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Amends Maryland Family Law Section 9–102 to expand circumstances under which equity courts may grant grandparent visitation rights
  • Courts may grant visitation when the petition is filed after a divorce, annulment, custody, or paternity action, provided visitation is in the child's best interests and would not interfere with the parent-child relationship
  • Courts are required to grant visitation when the child resided with the grandparent for at least 12 months, or when the grandparent's child (the child's parent) is deceased
  • Courts must consider the amount of prior personal contact between grandparent and child, and may not deny visitation based on interference allegations unless proven by preponderance of evidence after a hearing
  • Effective October 1, 2025

Legislative Description

Family Law - Grandparent Visitation

Child Custody

Last Action

First Reading Senate Rules

2/10/2025

Committee Referrals

Rules2/10/2025

Full Bill Text

No bill text available