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 … [Read more...] about Grandparent visitation
Family
2025 Legislative Session Digest
This is the final installment of the Legislative Update for the 2025 legislative session. This installment contains summaries of selected bills of interest or portions of bills that were signed into law. Civil Criminal Law Family Law Judicial Administration Juvenile Law Probate Law Traffic Law … [Read more...] about 2025 Legislative Session Digest
Parental rights
S.E.A. 143, P.L. 101-2025 Effective: July 1, 2025 Provides that a governmental entity may not substantially burden certain parental rights unless the burden, as applied to the parent and the child, is required to advance a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means of advancing the governmental interest. Prohibits a governmental entity from: (1) … [Read more...] about Parental rights
Child custody orders
H.E.A. 1626, P.L. 38-2025 Effective: July 1, 2025 Requires the following to be included in a custody order: (1) a trial court shall include the court's findings of fact and conclusions of law on which the custody order is based; and (2) an appellate decision shall include the facts upon which the appellate court relied to affirm or reverse an order. Read the bill at: … [Read more...] about Child custody orders
Parental rights
The House Judiciary Committee heard SB 143 on parental rights sponsored by Rep. Lindauer and Rep. Commons. Author Sen. Brown introduced the bill, which: The Committee amended the bill by consent to remove the provision stating that a governmental entity that is a party to a civil, judicial, or administrative proceeding has the burden of proof to demonstrate by clear and … [Read more...] about Parental rights