Senator Danny Burgess (R-Zephyrhills) filed legislation in the Senate this week to make sure state courts look into the mental and emotional health of a child before deciding whether "limited, court-ordered visitation" with a grandparent is suitable in cases where a parent passes away, following situations where the child lived with that grandparent.
According to a Senate release, SB 674 would specifically have a court assess an individual's continued visitation of a child living with a grandparent on their "emotional stability, mental health, and overall well-being" after their parent or guardian passes away or is deemed incapacitated.
While setting clarifications, the bill does not mandate visitation, but rather "provides clear guidance to judges to ensure the child’s needs are fully evaluated."
You can read more about the bill here.
“This bill was inspired by a deeply troubling situation shared by a constituent, which underscores
the need for clearer protections for children," Burgess said. “A child who had been living with and supported by a grandparent was later cut off from that relationship, and the emotional fallout has been profound. No child should suffer unnecessarily when a simple visitation could help support their well-being.”
“Our courts should always focus on a child’s well-being, especially after the trauma of losing a
parent,” Burgess added. “When a grandparent has stepped in during the hardest moments of
a child’s life, and that bond is abruptly severed, the emotional fallout can be devastating.”
If passed, SB 674 would take effect on July 1. The bill doesn't have a co-sponsor currently, nor a comptabile filing in the House.
Sen. Burgess has also filed several other bills, including legislation requiring portraits of Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln to be displayed in K–5 classrooms and in social studies classrooms for grades 6–12. You can view the rest of his sponsorships here.
The Florida Legislative session begins on Jan. 13.
