Bill > S1150

This bill revises the conditions under which a grandparent can petition a court for visitation with a minor child, expanding eligibility to situations where the child's parents are divorced or if one or both parents are deceased, missing, or in a persistent vegetative state, which means they are unable to care for themselves or their child. Previously, grandparents could only petition if the parents were deceased, missing, in a persistent vegetative state, or if one parent was deceased, missing, or in a persistent vegetative state and the other had a felony conviction or engaged in behavior posing a substantial threat to the child. The bill also clarifies that after a preliminary hearing, if the court finds a basis for the grandparent's petition, it must refer the matter to family mediation, and if mediation fails, the court must proceed with a final hearing to determine if visitation is in the child's best interest and will not materially harm the parent-child relationship. The bill also outlines specific factors the court must consider when assessing the child's best interests and potential harm to the parent-child relationship, and it will take effect on July 1, 2026.

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1150