Family Law - Grandparent Visitation

HB 721 updates Maryland's family law to clarify when courts must grant grandparent visitation rights. It requires courts to grant visitation if a child lived with the grandparent for at least 12 months *or* if the child’s parent (the grandparent’s child) has died. The bill also mandates courts to consider the grandparent’s prior contact with the child and requires clear evidence - beyond just allegations - to deny visitation on grounds of interfering with parent-child relationships. This directly affects grandparents seeking visitation, parents, and children in custody disputes, making the process more structured and evidence-based.