Family Law - Grandparent Visitation

HB 25 (Family Law - Grandparent Visitation) changes Maryland's rules for when family courts can grant grandparents visitation rights. It requires courts to grant visitation if a child lived with a grandparent for at least 12 months or if the grandparent has died, provided it’s in the child’s best interest and won’t harm the parent-child relationship. Courts must consider prior contact between the grandparent and child when deciding petitions filed after divorce or custody cases. The bill also prevents courts from denying visitation solely based on claims of interference without evidence showing harm would occur.