Bill > SF18

This bill modifies Minnesota's grandparent visitation rights law by making several key changes to existing statutes. The bill removes language about grandparent visitation not interfering with the parent-child relationship, which previously was a standard consideration for granting visitation rights. Instead, the bill focuses primarily on whether visitation is in the best interests of the child. The modifications apply to three scenarios: when a parent is deceased, during family court proceedings involving dissolution or custody, and when a child has an established relationship with a grandparent or great-grandparent. The bill changes terminology from "resided with" to "established relationship" and simplifies the criteria for grandparents seeking visitation rights. Additionally, the bill includes a provision that if a motion for grandparent visitation has been previously heard and denied, a new motion cannot be filed within six months, unless the parties agree in writing. The bill also repeals a specific subdivision (subdivision 7) of the existing law that provided guidelines for determining potential interference with parent-child relationships. Overall, the bill appears to make it somewhat easier for grandparents to seek visitation rights by focusing more on the child's best interests and less on potential parental relationship interference.

Justice

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF0018&ssn=0&y=2025