MS SB2090

Creates Section 93-5-35 to allow non-parent third parties to petition courts for visitation rights with children under limited circumstances.

Visitation may be granted if a parent is deceased or missing for 3+ months, child was born out of wedlock with unmarried parents, divorce/separation proceedings are pending, or an ongoing parent-child relationship exists.

Court must give special weight to legal parents' opinions and consider factors including the historical relationship between child and petitioner, motivations of both parties, quantity of visitation time requested, and extended family relationships.

Visitation rights automatically terminate if the child is adopted, except when adopted by a spouse of a natural parent after remarriage; rights may be reinstated if removed from adoptive placement.

Prohibits visitation for persons convicted of intentional homicide of a child's parent unless conviction is reversed or court determines by clear and convincing evidence that visitation serves the child's best interests; effective July 1, 2015.