Current Status Bill Number:3053 Type of Legislation:General Bill GB Introducing Body:House Introduced Date:19970114 Primary Sponsor:J. Brown All Sponsors:J. Brown, Whatley, J. Hines and Lloyd Drafted Document Number:BBM\10974AC.97 Residing Body:House Current Committee:Judiciary Committee 25 HJ Subject:Family courts, grandparent visitation; minors and domestic relations
Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved
______ ________ _______________________________________ _______ ____________
House 19970114 Introduced, read first time, 25 HJ
referred to Committee
House 19961211 Prefiled, referred to Committee 25 HJ
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TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-420, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE JURISDICTION OF FAMILY COURT SO AS TO DELETE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH THE COURT MAY AWARD GRANDPARENT VISITATION.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 20-7-420(33) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 429 of 1994, is further amended to read:
"(33) To order periods of visitation for the grandparents of 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. In determining whether to order visitation for the grandparents, the court shall consider the nature of the relationship between the child and his grandparents prior to the filing of the petition or complaint."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.