House Bill 1138: An Act Regarding the Rights of Grandparents

Authors:
Representatives Waters, Bishop, Kirkland, Myers, Belfanti, Cappelli, Curry, Donatucci, Freeman, George, Gibbons, Hennessey, Hess, Hutchinson, Parker, Payne, Petrarca, Phillips, Rapp, Sabatina, Schroder, Shimkus, Siptroth, Solobay, Sonney, Thomas, and Youngblood

Summary:
This bill authorizes a court to order grandparent partial custody or visitation of a child whose parents were never married if the court determines that it’s in the child’s best interest. We believe such a law would be unconstitutional and contrary to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Troxel v. Granville in 2000. In that case, the court said that such a law “unconstitutionally interferes with the fundamental right of parents to rear their children.”

Status:

4/23/2007		Introduced and referred to the House Judiciary Committee
11/30/2008		Legislation died when the House adjourned

HSLDA’s Position:
HSLDA opposes this legislation.

Action Requested:
None at this time.

Other Resources

Bill Text    (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)