The bill H. 4647 seeks to amend Section 63-3-530 of the South Carolina Code of Laws to expand the provisions for court-ordered visitation to include great-grandparents of minor children. Under the proposed changes, courts would be able to order visitation for great-grandparents in specific circumstances, such as when either or both parents of the child are deceased, divorced, or living separately. The court must find that the child's parents or guardians are unreasonably denying visitation for more than ninety days and that granting visitation would not interfere with the parent-child relationship.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that the court must find either that the parents or guardians are unfit or that there are compelling circumstances that justify overriding the presumption that parental decisions are in the child's best interest. The bill also allows for the awarding of attorney's fees and costs to the prevailing party in these cases. The definitions of "grandparent" and "great-grandparent" are clarified within the bill to ensure proper understanding of the terms as they relate to visitation rights. The act will take effect upon approval by the Governor.

Statutes affected:
12/17/2025: 63-3-530
Latest Version: 63-3-530