MS HB849

Extends visitation rights provisions to include great-grandparents alongside grandparents in Mississippi Code Sections 93-16-1 through 93-16-7.

Allows great-grandparents to petition for visitation rights when a parent dies, custody is awarded, or parental rights are terminated, under the same conditions as grandparents.

Permits great-grandparents not covered under primary petition grounds to seek visitation rights if they established a viable relationship with the child and denial of visitation is unreasonable, requiring a finding that visitation is in the child's best interest.

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

Updates Section 93-5-24 to reference great-grandparents in custody proceedings, particularly regarding family violence presumptions and third-party custody awards; effective July 1, 2024.