Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky SB281: AN ACT relating to grandparent visitation.
Status: In committee, April 15, 2026
Amend KRS 405.021 to establish a clear and convincing standard of evidence in determining grandparent visitation; establish factors the court may consider in determining the best interests of the child; remove rebuttable presumption standard; amend KRS 620.090 to conform.
What the bill says
An act relating to grandparent visitation.
From the committee substitute text:
AN ACT relating to grandparent visitation. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: Section 1. KRS 405.021 is amended to read as follows: (1) (a) The Circuit Court may grant reasonable visitation rights to either the paternal or maternal grandparents of a child and issue any necessary orders to enforce the decree if: 1. The court finds by clear and convincing evidence that: a. There are compelling factors to overcome the presumption that a fit parent acts in the best interests of the child; and b. Visitation with the grandparent[ it Determines that it] is in the best interests[interest] of the child; or[ to do so] 2. Someone other than a parent is the grandchild's custodian and the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that visitation with the grandparent is in the best interests of the child. (b) Once a grandparent has been granted visitation rights under this subsection, those rights shall not be adversely affected by the termination of parental rights belonging to the grandparent's son or daughter, who is the father or mother of the child visited by the grandparent, unless the Circuit Court determines that it is in the best interests[interest] of the child to do so. (2) In determining whether grandparent visitation is in the best interests of the …
Sponsors
- Rick Girdler (R, SD-015) · primary sponsor
- Danny Carroll (R, SD-002)
- Matthew Deneen (R, SD-010)
- Gerald Neal (D, SD-033)
Latest actions
- : recommitted to Appropriations & Revenue (H)
- : 2nd reading, to Rules
- : floor amendment (1) filed
- : reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
- : to Judiciary (H)
- : to Committee on Committees (H)
- : received in House
- : 3rd reading, passed 36-0 with Committee Substitute (1)
- : passed over and retained in the Orders of the Day
- : posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Monday, March 16 2026
Votes
- Senate: PASS SB 281 w/ SCS 1 (SCS 1) RSN# 3946 (March 17, 2026): 36 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Domestic Relations, Children And Minors, Parental Rights, Civil Procedure
Common questions
- What is SB281?
- SB281 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to grandparent visitation.
- What does SB281 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to grandparent visitation.
- What is the status of SB281?
- In committee as of April 15, 2026. Latest action: recommitted to Appropriations & Revenue (H) (April 15, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB281?
- Rick Girdler (R, SD-015), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB281?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/sb281.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.