Senate Bill 204: Grandparent’s Visitation Rights

Author:
Senator Maurice Washington

Summary:
This bill would allow a grandparent to sue for visitation with a grandchild, overriding the rights of the parent.

Status:

3/8/2007		Read, Referred to Committee on Judiciary
3/20/2007		Senate Judiciary Hearing, do pass failed
4/10/2007		Senate Judiciary Hearing, do pass failed

HSLDA's Position:
HSLDA is opposed to this bill.

Action Requested:
None requested at this time.

Background:
Over the years, HSLDA has represented member families in conflict with grandparents who did not like homeschooling. These grandparents would try to stop the homeschooling through various means including turning the family over to the child welfare services. Thankfully, most grandparents we come in contact with at HSLDA support home schooling and in some situations even participate in the teaching.

However, this bill would give grandparents and great-grandparents the right to sue parents for visitation rights. If this bill becomes law, they could sue if the parents have “denied a great-grandparent or grandparent of the child visits with the child” or “unreasonably restricted visits with the child.”

Of course, if a grandparent brings such a suit under this act, the court may appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the child and order family mediation and a psychological evaluation of the child. Parental rights would be ignored.

Other Resources

Bill Text   (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)