Florida legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Florida H861: Grandparent Visitation Rights
Status: Failed, March 13, 2026
Authorizes grandparent of minor child to petition court for court-ordered visitation with child in certain circumstances; making technical changes.
What the bill says
An act relating to grandparent visitation rights; amending s. 752.011, F.S.; authorizing a grandparent of a minor child to petition a court for court-ordered visitation with the child in certain circumstances; making technical changes; reenacting ss. 752.015 and 752.071, F.S., relating to mediation of visitation disputes and the effect of adoption by a stepparent or close relative, respectively, to incorporate the amendment made to s. 752.011, F.S., in references thereto; providing an effective date.
From the introduced text, December 23, 2025:
A bill to be entitled An act relating to grandparent visitation rights; amending s. 752.011, F.S.; authorizing a grandparent of a minor child to petition a court for court-ordered visitation with the child in certain circumstances; making technical changes; reenacting ss. 752.015 and 752.071, F.S., relating to mediation of visitation disputes and the effect of adoption by a stepparent or close relative, respectively, to incorporate the amendment made to s. 752.011, F.S., in references thereto; providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. Section 752.011, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 752.011 Petition for grandparent visitation with a minor child.-- (1)(a) A grandparent of a minor child whose parents are deceased, missing, or in a persistent vegetative state may petition the court for court-ordered visitation with the child under this section., or (b) A grandparent of a minor child whose one parent is deceased, missing, or in a persistent vegetative state and whose other parent has been convicted of a felony or an offense of words underlined are additions. hb861-00 FLORIDAHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES HB 861 2026 violence evincing behavior that poses a substantial threat of harm to the minor child's health or welfare, may petition the court for court-ordered visitation with the child grandchild under this section. (c) A grandparent of a minor …
Sponsors
- Bankson, Doug (R, HD-039) · primary sponsor
- Bankson (R, 39) · primary sponsor
- Kendall, Kim (R, HD-018)
- Kendall (R, 18)
- Partington, Bill (R, HD-028)
- Partington (R, 28)
Latest actions
- : Died in Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee
- : 1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
- : Now in Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee
- : Referred to Judiciary Committee
- : Referred to Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee
- : Filed
Common questions
- What is H861?
- H861 is a bill in the Florida Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Grandparent Visitation Rights.
- What does H861 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to grandparent visitation rights; amending s. 752.011, F.S.; authorizing a grandparent of a minor child to petition a court for court-ordered visitation with the child in certain circumstances; making technical changes; reenacting ss. 752.015 and 752.071, F.S., relating to mediation of visitation disputes and the effect of adoption by a stepparent or close relative, respectively, to incorporate the amendment made to s. 752.011, F.S., in references thereto; providing an effective date.
- What is the status of H861?
- Failed as of March 13, 2026. Latest action: Died in Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee (March 13, 2026).
- Who sponsored H861?
- Bankson, Doug (R, HD-039), with 5 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H861?
- On the Florida Legislature website: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/861
Source: official Florida record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.