H 4503 General Bill, By Neilson, Askins, Bailey, G. Brown, Canty, Carnell, 
C.D. Chamblee, J.L.M. Cromer, Davenport, Delleney, Harrison, Harvin, J. Hines, 
T.E. Huff, H.G. Hutson, Inabinett, M.F. Jaskwhich, Jennings, Keegan, Littlejohn, 
L.M. Martin, McKay, M. McLeod, Moody-Lawrence, J.H. Neal, Quinn, Rhoad, Riser, 
J.S. Shissias, Simrill, D. Smith, E.C. Stoddard, Stuart, P.H. Thomas, 
C.C. Wells, L.S. Whipper, Wilder, Wilkes, D.A. Wright and Young-Brickell

Similar(S 872)
 A Bill to amend Section 20-7-420, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, as
 amended, relating to the jurisdiction of the Family Court, so as to provide
 conditions under which grandparent visitation may be granted.

   01/13/94  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-271
   01/13/94  House  Referred to Committee on Judiciary HJ-272

A BILL

TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-420, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE FAMILY COURT, SO AS TO PROVIDE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH GRANDPARENT VISITATION MAY BE GRANTED.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. Section 20-7-420(33) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(33) To order periods of visitation for the grandparents of the a minor child where either or both parents of the minor child is or are deceased, or are divorced, or are living separate and apart in different habitats regardless of the existence of a court order or agreement, and upon a written finding that the visitation rights would be in the best interests of the child and would not interfere with the parent/child relationship. The court shall consider the amount of personal contact between the parents or grandparents of the deceased or divorced parent and the minor child before the filing of the petition or complaint."

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.