Bill > HB3433

This bill modifies existing Missouri law regarding grandparent visitation rights by expanding the circumstances under which grandparents can seek court-ordered visitation. Specifically, it allows grandparents to petition for visitation if they have been denied reasonable contact for over sixty days in situations where the child's parents are divorcing, one parent is deceased and the surviving parent denies visitation, the parents were never married and visitation is denied by the custodial parent, or if the child has lived with the grandparent for at least six months within the past two years. The bill also clarifies that grandparents can file for visitation even if a custody or visitation action has already been decided, or initiate an independent action if no prior order exists. Crucially, any court order for grandparent visitation must be determined to be in the child's best interests, and the court can appoint a guardian ad litem, conduct a home study, and consider the child's wishes to make this determination. The right to visitation may end if the child is adopted, and the court can award attorney fees to the prevailing party.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB3433&year=2026&code=R