Family Law - Grandparent Visitation

SB 1004 modifies Maryland's grandparent visitation law by requiring courts to grant visitation rights when a child resided with a grandparent for at least 12 months or when the parent (child's parent) has died. For other cases, courts may grant visitation if it is in the child's best interest and would not interfere with the parent-child relationship, considering prior contact between the grandparent and child. The bill prohibits courts from denying visitation solely based on potential interference claims without evidence of actual interference. This directly affects grandparents seeking visitation and family courts deciding such cases under Maryland law.