This bill amends Section 752.011 of the Florida Statutes to authorize grandparents of minor children to petition for court-ordered visitation under specific circumstances. The new provisions allow a grandparent to seek visitation if the child's parents are deceased, missing, or in a persistent vegetative state, or if one parent is in such a condition and the other has been convicted of a felony or violent offense. Additionally, the bill outlines criteria that must be met for the court to grant visitation, including the child's prior residence with the grandparent and the potential harm to the child's well-being if contact is eliminated.

The bill also includes technical changes and reenacts Sections 752.015 and 752.071 to incorporate the amendments made to Section 752.011. It emphasizes the importance of mediation in resolving visitation disputes and establishes a presumption for granting visitation if one parent has been criminally or civilly liable for the death of the other parent. The effective date for this act is set for July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
H 861 Filed: 752.011