EXAMPLE FOR THOSE WHO ARE PERSONALLY IMPACTED

Subject: Support SB 674 – Protecting Children’s Bonds with Their Grandparents

Dear Senator/Representative [Last Name],

My name is [Your Full Name], and I am a resident of [City], Florida. I am writing to respectfully urge your support for SB 674, the Grandparents’ Rights Bill, which addresses a serious and harmful gap in Florida law that affects children and families across our state.

Under current Florida law, grandparents’ rights to visitation or custody are extraordinarily limited, generally permitted only in extreme circumstances such as when both parents are deceased, missing, or incapacitated. This narrow framework fails to consider the emotional well-being of children who have formed deep, long-standing bonds with their grandparents and other extended family members. These relationships should be protected unless there is clear and compelling evidence that contact would be harmful to the child.

[OPTIONAL PERSONAL STORY – highly encouraged]
In my own family, [briefly describe your situation—loss of a parent, long-term caregiving role, sudden separation, etc.]. For much of my grandchild’s life, I have provided consistent care, stability, and love. Yet under current law, I have no legal pathway to even ask a court to consider what is in my grandchild’s best interest. The sudden and complete loss of this relationship has caused significant emotional pain—not only for me, but for my grandchild as well.

Children should never be placed in the middle of adult conflict or used as a means to punish or control another family member. When a child is abruptly cut off from loving grandparents who have been a constant presence in their life, the harm is real and lasting. Research consistently shows that active grandparent involvement supports children’s emotional, social, and psychological development, offering stability during times of loss, trauma, or transition.

Despite this, Florida grandparents are often left relying solely on the goodwill of others to maintain contact with their grandchildren. In fact, thousands of grandparents have sought legal intervention in recent years simply to preserve these relationships—demonstrating a clear and growing need for legislative reform.

SB 674 provides a balanced and responsible solution. It does not override parental rights or guarantee visitation. Instead, it allows grandparents to petition the court under limited circumstances, with judges retaining full discretion and with the child’s best interests as the guiding standard. This bill ensures that children’s emotional bonds and lived realities can be considered, rather than ignored.

This issue is larger than any one family. It is about protecting children’s stability, honoring the role of extended family, and strengthening families during times of crisis. By passing SB 674, Florida has the opportunity to lead with compassion and common sense, setting an example for other states to follow.

I respectfully ask that you support SB 674 and advocate for its passage during this legislative session. Thank you for your time, your service, and your commitment to Florida’s families. I would welcome the opportunity to share more or answer any questions.

Sincerely,

[Your Full Name]
[City], Florida
[Phone Number or Email]

SHORT EXAMPLE FOR THOSE WHO ARE PERSONALLY IMPACTED

Subject: SB 674 – Please Support Grandparents’ Rights in Florida

Dear Senator/Representative [Last Name],

My name is [Your Name], and I live in [City], Florida. I am writing to ask for your support of SB 674, which addresses a critical gap in Florida law affecting children and grandparents.

Florida currently allows grandparents to seek visitation only in extreme circumstances, ignoring the reality that many grandparents serve as long-term caregivers and emotional anchors for their grandchildren. When these bonds are abruptly severed, children suffer unnecessary emotional harm.

SB 674 does not override parental rights. It simply allows grandparents to petition the court under limited circumstances, with judges retaining full discretion and the child’s best interests as the standard.

Thousands of Florida grandparents are impacted by this issue. SB 674 offers a balanced, compassionate solution that protects children’s stability while respecting family autonomy.

Please support SB 674 this session. Thank you for your time and service.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[City], Florida

Subject: SB 674 – Please Support Grandparents’ Rights in Florida

Dear Senator/Representative [Last Name],

My name is [Your Name], and I am a resident of [City], Florida. I am writing in strong support of SB 674, the Grandparents’ Rights Bill.

For [number] years, I have been a primary caregiver for my grandchild, providing daily care, stability, and love. Like many grandparents across Florida, I stepped in when my grandchild needed consistency and support most. Yet under current law, that history counts for nothing.

Florida law offers grandparents almost no ability to protect these bonds, even when a child has lived with and relied on a grandparent for years. When contact is suddenly cut off, children lose not just relationships, but their sense of security and belonging.

SB 674 provides a reasonable path forward. It allows courts to consider real caregiving relationships while preserving parental rights and prioritizing the child’s best interests.

I urge you to support SB 674 and help ensure that children are not stripped of the people who have raised and loved them.

Thank you for your consideration.

Respectfully,
[Your Name]
[City], Florida

Subject: SB 674 – Please Support Grandparents’ Rights in Florida

Dear Senator/Representative [Last Name],

My name is [Your Name], and I live in [City], Florida. While I am not a grandparent affected personally, I am writing to urge your support for SB 674 because of its importance to children’s emotional well-being.

Research consistently shows that children benefit from strong, stable relationships with extended family members, especially grandparents. Yet Florida law currently provides almost no avenue for courts to consider these relationships, even when grandparents have played a central role in a child’s upbringing.

SB 674 is carefully limited and child-focused. It does not guarantee visitation or override parental rights; it simply allows a judge to consider whether maintaining a grandparent relationship serves the child’s best interests.

Supporting SB 674 is a common-sense step toward protecting children from unnecessary emotional harm during times of family crisis.

Thank you for your leadership and attention to this important issue.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[City], Florida

Subject: SB 674 – Please Support Grandparents’ Rights in Florida

Dear Senator/Representative [Last Name],

My name is [Your Name], and I serve as a [role, if applicable] in [City], Florida. I am writing to express my support for SB 674, which strengthens protections for children and families during times of loss or upheaval.

In our communities, grandparents often provide continuity, wisdom, and emotional grounding for children—especially during crises such as death, incarceration, or family separation. When these relationships are abruptly severed, children experience profound and lasting harm.

Florida law currently offers little recognition of these realities. SB 674 provides a thoughtful, balanced framework that allows courts to consider children’s lived experiences while maintaining respect for parental rights.

I urge you to support SB 674 and stand for policies that promote family stability, compassion, and the well-being of Florida’s children.

Thank you for your service and leadership.

Respectfully,
[Your Name]
[City], Florida