MN SF2662

Changes visitation rights for parents and grandparents of a deceased parent from discretionary ("may") to mandatory ("shall"), requiring courts to grant reasonable visitation when it serves the child's best interests and doesn't interfere with the parent-child relationship

Creates new pathway for grandparents and great-grandparents to petition for visitation rights when they have a "substantial established relationship" with a minor child, requiring clear and convincing evidence that visitation won't interfere with the parent-child relationship

Requires courts to consider mediation between parents/guardians and grandparents/great-grandparents, with community dispute resolution programs available to provide services

Prohibits courts from considering time apart between grandparent/great-grandparent and grandchild as a factor in visitation determinations

Applies retroactively to January 1, 2022, allowing parties in cases adjudicated since that date to request reconsideration under the new standards; repeals existing subdivision governing grandparent visitation in family court proceedings