The bill amends Section 752.011 of the Florida Statutes to expand the circumstances under which a grandparent can petition for court-ordered visitation with a minor child. It allows grandparents to seek visitation if one parent is deceased, missing, or in a persistent vegetative state, and the other parent has been convicted of a felony or an offense of violence that poses a substantial threat to the child's welfare. Additionally, it introduces specific criteria that must be met for a grandparent to petition for visitation, including the child's prior residence with the grandparent and the potential harm to the child's well-being if contact with the grandparent is eliminated.

The bill also makes technical changes and reenacts related statutes concerning mediation of visitation disputes and the effects of adoption by a stepparent or close relative. It emphasizes the importance of mediation in resolving visitation issues and outlines the court's responsibilities in assessing the best interests of the child and the potential impact on the parent-child relationship. The effective date for the bill is set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 607 Filed: 752.011