Bill > SB1004

This bill modifies Maryland's family law regarding grandparent visitation rights, expanding the circumstances under which grandparents can petition for and potentially be granted visitation with their grandchildren. Specifically, the bill allows equity courts (courts with broad discretionary powers) to consider grandparent visitation petitions in two primary scenarios: first, when a petition is filed after a parent has initiated a divorce, annulment, custody, or paternity action, and the court determines visitation is in the child's best interest without interfering with the parent-child relationship; and second, when the child has either lived with the grandparent for at least 12 months or the child's parent (who is the grandparent's child) is deceased. In both scenarios, the court must evaluate whether visitation serves the child's best interests and does not disrupt the existing parent-child relationship. The bill also requires courts to consider the prior personal contact between the grandparent and child when making visitation determinations and specifies that courts cannot deny visitation rights based on potential interference with parental relationships without first holding a hearing and finding clear evidence of such interference. The law is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB1004?ys=2025RS