MS HB1440

Expands grandparent visitation rights laws to include great-grandparents, allowing great-grandparents to petition courts for visitation with great-grandchildren under the same conditions as grandparents.

Great-grandparents may petition for visitation if a court has awarded custody or terminated parental rights, or if a parent has died, or through a separate petition showing an established viable relationship and that visitation is in the child's best interest.

Defines "viable relationship" for great-grandparents as six months of financial support, one year of frequent visitation including overnight visits, or significant caregiving during parental absence due to incarceration or military duty.

Applies the same standards for adoption restrictions to great-grandparents as to grandparents, permitting visitation only if one parent is also a natural parent or a parent was related by blood or marriage before adoption.

Takes effect July 1, 2019.