MS HB123

Amends Mississippi Code sections 93-16-1, 93-16-3, 93-16-5, and 93-16-7 to extend grandparents' visitation rights to include great-grandparents of minor children.

Great-grandparents may petition chancery court for visitation rights if they established a viable relationship with the child and the parent unreasonably denied visitation, provided visitation is in the child's best interests.

Defines "viable relationship" as financial support for six months, frequent visitation including overnight visits for one year, or care during parent's incarceration or military duty.

Courts may require great-grandparents to pay reasonable attorney's fees and court costs to parents either in advance or regardless of petition outcome.

Effective date is July 1, 2014.