Preserving and Protecting the Bond Between Florida’s Children and Their Grandparents
Bonds that shape identity and lifelong well‑being
Children thrive when they have meaningful relationships with their extended family, especially grandparents. These bonds offer emotional stability, cultural identity, and access to family history and medical background that only kin can provide.
Even when adult conflict makes these connections difficult, a child’s need for belonging and support remains.
Prioritizing these relationships isn’t about choosing sides. It’s about honoring what is truly in the child’s best interest.
The Problem
Florida Law Leaves Children Unprotected
Florida’s grandparents’ rights laws are among the most restrictive in the nation.
Under Florida Statute §752.011, grandparents may request visitation only in limited situations, such as:
Both parents are deceased, missing, or in a persistent vegetative state, or
One parent meets one of those conditions and the other parent has been convicted of a violent felony or similar offense that poses a significant threat to the child’s health or welfare.
In these situations, grandparents can file a petition for court-ordered visitation, and a judge then makes a determination on whether not having visitation would be detrimental to the child.
A Solution
A Child-Centered, Balanced Update to Florida Law
Senate Bill 1150
Senate Bill 1150, sponsored by Senator Ana Maria Rodriguez, will expand the current statute to allow grandparents to petition the court for visitation if the child’s parents are divorced or if one or both of the minor child’s parents are deceased, missing, or in a persistent vegetative state.
Senate Bill 674/ House Bill 861
There are currently two other bills being proposed that are not as strong as SB 1150, but are a step in the right direction.
These two bills are identical, and require that a grandchild must have lived with their grandparent for at least six months in the preceding year to be eligible to petition the court for visitation. We are advocating that they be amended to include non-residential grandparents and extended family as eligible petitioners.
You Can Help Protect Florida’s Children
Take Action
With the 2026 legislative session ending on March 14, every day matters. We have a narrow window to make sure lawmakers understand how deeply this issue affects families across our state.
Your voice can help ensure that loving grandparents never lose their place in a child’s life.
By emailing or calling legislators and decison-makers, signing the petitions, sharing your story with us, and spreading the word on social media, you can help build the momentum needed to pass this vital law before time runs out.
Emotional Wellbeing
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Mental Health
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History
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Culture
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Emotional Wellbeing 〰️ Mental Health 〰️ History 〰️ Culture 〰️
Families Affected Across Florida
“This is about love, stability, and the emotional well-being of children. My grandson hasn’t only lost his Nana, whom he loves and has bonded with, after more than four years, but his neighborhood friends, as well. ”
“Children deserve continuity, stability and the love of the family who has cared for them, especially after losing a parent.”
Track the Bills for Instant Updates
Stay up to date on these bills by using the tracking feature on the House and Senate websites. Create an account and then click on the red sun–shaped Tracking Icon next to the bill number. Clicking it will “turn on” tracking and keep you informed of any updates or movement.
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