SB79 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rusty Glover

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

SB79 changes grandparent visitation rules to allow one petition per grandparent every 24 months, let multiple grandparents petition within the same period, and let parents petition to amend or revoke visitation for each grandparent’s order every 24 months.

What This Bill Does

It defines who counts as a grandparent under these rules and allows a grandparent to petition for visitation only once every 24 months, with multiple grandparents still able to petition within that window. It also lets a parent petition to amend or revoke visitation for each grandparent who has petitioned and received visitation, but no more than once every 24 months for each visitation order. The bill maintains a best interests standard, requires written findings, and lays out factors the court must consider, including safety and health concerns, domestic violence, and the willingness of grandparents to support a close relationship between the child and the parents.

Who It Affects

• Grandparents seeking visitation: can petition for visitation, with a limit of one petition per grandparent every 24 months, and can have multiple grandparents petition within the same 24-month period.
• Parents/guardians with custody or visitation authority: may petition to revoke or amend visitation for each grandparent’s order no more than once every 24 months, and only for the orders from grandparents who have petitioned and received visitation (subject to exceptions and best interests).

Key Provisions

• Defines a grandparent to include the parent of a parent, a deceased parent, or a parent whose child was adopted through stepparent/relative adoption.
• Original visitation petitions: any grandparent may file for visitation if it is in the child’s best interest, with a limit of one petition per grandparent every 24 months and no petition during a year when another custody action is filed.
• Per-grandparent petition limit: more than one grandparent may petition within a 24-month period, and the fact that one grandparent petitioned does not prevent others from petitioning.
• Amendment/revocation petitions: the parent may petition to revoke or amend visitation for each grandparent’s order, no more than once every 24 months for that order, with more limited timing if multiple grandparents have visitation orders.
• Court standards: the court must determine best interests using specified factors (relationship encouragement, child’s preference, health of child and grandparent, domestic violence, and other relevant circumstances) and issue written findings.
• Protection and costs: the court may appoint a guardian ad litem at the petitioning grandparent’s expense if appropriate, and visitation rules consider safety if domestic violence is involved.
• Restrictions on granting visitation: a grandparent may not be granted visitation if the parent has relinquished custody or abandoned the child financially unless a suitable relationship exists and visitation is in the child’s best interests.
• Effective date: the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Family Law