House Bill 3134: An Act Regarding Grandparent Visitation

Authors:
Representatives Weeks and Taylor

Summary:
This bill authorizes a Family Court judge to order grandparent visitation of a child against the parents’ wishes if the judge determines that it’s in the child’s best interests. 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:

12/13/2006		Prefiled and referred to the Judiciary Committee
1/9/2007		Introduced, first reading, and referred to the House Judiciary Committee
4/11/2007		Committee Report: Favorable with amendment
4/17/2007		Amended and second reading
4/18/2007		Third reading and transmitted to Senate
4/19/2007		Introduced, first reading and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee
4/20/2007		Referred to Senate Judiciary Subcommittee
6/5/2008		Legislation died when the Senate adjourned sine die

HSLDA’s Position:
HSLDA opposes this legislation.

Other Resources

Bill Text