On January 7, 2026, the Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB 52 on grandparent visitation authored by Sen. Clark and Sen. Walker. The bill provides that a grandparent who has had a demonstrable history of meaningful contact with a child may seek visitation rights; allows a parent, guardian, or custodian to submit a confidential statement regarding the parent’s, guardian’s, or custodian’s concerns about a grandparent’s visitation; requires the court to review a confidential statement submitted in camera and seal the record to protect the parties’ privacy; and requires a petition for custody to include certain information. The bill was held pending amendment; no testimony was heard.
On January 14, 2026, the Committee heard the bill for amend and vote. The committee amended the bill by consent to delete the bill and replace it with a new code section that urges the legislative council to assign an appropriate study committee to examine (1) whether grandparent visitation rights should be expanded to include a grandparent who has a demonstrable history of meaningful contact with a child; and (2) the petition and civil procedure requirements for expanding grandparent visitation rights.
The amended bill passed 9-0.
Read the bill at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/senate/52