Bill No.: SF0108                  Drafter:  MDO

LSO No.:  07LSO-0442              Effective Date:  7/1/2007

Enrolled Act No.:  SEA0052

Chapter No.:       CH0127

Prime Sponsor:     Senator Perkins

Catch Title:       Grandparents visitation rights.

Subject:  Notice of adoption to person awarded visitation; visitation rights in adoption cases.

Summary/Major Elements:

· Requires an affidavit to be filed in all adoption proceedings stating whether, and to whom, visitation rights to the child being adopted have been awarded.

· Requires that a copy of the petition to adopt and an order to show cause be served on any person awarded visitation rights to a child in an adoption proceeding.

· Allows the court in which the adoption proceedings are taking place to exercise its discretion to determine whether it is in the best interest of the child to allow persons awarded visitation rights an opportunity to be heard in the adoption proceedings.

· Prohibits a grandparent from attempting to establish visitation rights to a grandchild in the event the grandchild was adopted and neither adopting parent was related by blood to the child.