HB183 Alabama 2010 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Victor Gaston
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2010
Title: Grandparent visitation, one petition per grandparent per 24-month period, parent authorized to petition for amendment or revocation once in 24-month period with respect to each petition awarding visitation, Sec. 30-3-4.1 am'd.
Summary: HB183 tightens grandparent visitation rules by limiting petitions to one per grandparent every 24 months and letting parents petition for changes on a per-order basis.
What This Bill Does
The bill limits a grandparent to filing a visitation petition only once every 24 months, though different grandparents can petition within the same 24-month window. It allows a parent to petition to amend or revoke visitation for each grandparent who has petitioned and received visitation, with a separate 24-month limit for each order. It keeps a focus on the child’s best interests and adds safeguards, including potential guardian ad litem costs and considerations of abuse and domestic violence.

Who It Affects
Grandparents seeking visitation: may file for visitation, but only once every 24 months per grandparent, and multiple grandparents can petition within the same 24-month period.
Parents, guardians, or custodians of the child: may petition for amendment or revocation of visitation for each affected grandparent/order, subject to a per-order 24-month limit and best-interest standards.

Key Provisions
Defines 'grandparent' broadly for visitation purposes.
Grandparents may file an original action for visitation only if it is in the best interests and under specific family conditions (such as death of a parent, dissolution of marriage, abandonment, or out-of-wedlock birth).
A grandparent may file for visitation no more than once every 24 months; different grandparents may petition within the same 24-month period.
After visitation is granted, the parent may petition for revocation or amendment for good cause for each grandparent's order, with a separate 24-month limit for each order if multiple grandparents have visitation.
Courts must make written findings and consider factors like willingness to support a relationship with the parent, the child's health, and any domestic violence issues.
A guardian ad litem may be appointed at the petitioning grandparent’s cost when the court finds it appropriate.
A grandparent may not be granted visitation if the parent related to the grandparent has given up custody or abandoned the child unless there is an established relationship and it is in the child’s best interests.
Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Family Law