ME LD869

Grandparents may request intervenor status in child protection proceedings when the Department of Health and Human Services has placed the child in foster care

Intervenor status grants grandparents the right to be heard, present or cross-examine witnesses, present evidence, and access pleadings and records

Grandparents with intervenor status may request reasonable visitation or access rights from the court

Grandparent visitation rights are suspended when a child is placed with prospective adoptive parents who have signed an adoptive placement agreement, unless a court determines continued access is in the child's best interest

Grandparent visitation rights terminate when an adoption is finalized, though the definition of "grandparent" includes parents of a child's parent whose parental rights were terminated until adoption occurs