Bill > SF2662

This bill modifies Minnesota's laws regarding visitation rights for grandparents and great-grandparents seeking access to a minor child. The bill changes existing statutes to create a more comprehensive framework for grandparent and great-grandparent visitation, particularly in situations involving a deceased parent or when a substantial established relationship exists with the child. The legislation allows grandparents or great-grandparents to petition the district court for visitation rights by establishing specific criteria that must be met, including proving a significant personal connection with the child, demonstrating that visitation is in the child's best interests, and showing that the visitation would not interfere with the parent-child relationship. Courts must now consider factors such as the benefit of maintaining an important relationship with the grandparent or great-grandparent and may even recommend mediation to resolve disputes. The bill also introduces provisions that prevent time apart from being considered a negative factor and applies retroactively to actions commenced on or after January 1, 2022. Notably, the bill repeals a previous subdivision of the statute related to family court proceedings, streamlining the legal approach to grandparent and great-grandparent visitation rights.

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https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF2662&ssn=0&y=2025