NJ A4989

Requires New Jersey courts to give special consideration to grandparents who are Gold Star family members when they apply for visitation rights with their grandchildren

Defines "Gold Star family member" as the spouse, domestic partner, civil union partner, parent, sibling, child, legal guardian, or legal custodian of a deceased service member

Defines "deceased service member" as any member of the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserve component, or National Guard who dies from enemy action, accident, or disease while on federal active duty

Amends existing grandparent visitation law (P.L.1971, c.420) which already allows grandparents to petition Superior Court for visitation if they can prove it serves the child's best interests

Maintains all existing factors courts must consider in visitation decisions, including the grandparent-child relationship, time since last contact, and any history of abuse or neglect