CT
Connecticut House Bill HB06453

Connecticut 2011 Regular Session

Connecticut House Bill HB06453 Compare Versions

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1-Substitute House Bill No. 6453
1+General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 6453
2+January Session, 2011 *_____HB06453GAE___051911____*
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3-Special Act No. 11-12
4+General Assembly
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5-AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE TO STUDY GRANDPARENTS' VISITATION RIGHTS.
6+Substitute Bill No. 6453
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8+January Session, 2011
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10+*_____HB06453GAE___051911____*
11+
12+AN ACT CONCERNING GRANDPARENTS' VISITATION RIGHTS.
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714 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
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9-Section 1. (Effective from passage) (a) There is established a task force to study issues related to visitation rights for grandparents. Such study shall include, but not be limited to, an examination of (1) the legal and social issues related to grandparents' access to visitation, (2) the impact of the loss of contact on families, (3) social supports to promote the continuation of these relationships, and (4) legislative proposals that are consistent with the state constitution.
16+Section 1. Section 46b-59 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2011):
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11-(b) The task force shall consist of the following members:
18+The Superior Court may grant the right of visitation with respect to any minor child or children to any person, upon an application of such person. [Such order shall be according to the court's best judgment upon the facts of the case and] The court shall grant the right of visitation, subject to such conditions and limitations as [it deems equitable,] are in the best interest of the child, if the applicant demonstrates by a preponderance of the evidence that (1) the applicant has a parent-like relationship with the child; and (2) the child will suffer real and substantial harm as a result of the denial of visitation, provided the grant of such right of visitation [rights] shall not be contingent upon any order of financial support by the court. [In making, modifying or terminating such an order, the court shall be guided by the best interest of the child, giving consideration to the wishes of such child if he is of sufficient age and capable of forming an intelligent opinion. Visitation rights] The right of visitation granted in accordance with this section shall not be deemed to have created parental rights in the person or persons to whom such right of visitation [rights are] is granted. The grant of [such] the right of visitation [rights] shall not prevent any court of competent jurisdiction from thereafter acting upon the custody of such child, the parental rights with respect to such child or the adoption of such child and any such court may include in its decree an order terminating such right of visitation. [rights.]
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13-(1) One appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be a representative of an advocacy group representing the interests of grandparents seeking visitation rights;
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15-(2) One appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, who shall be a representative of an advocacy group representing the interests of children;
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17-(3) One appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives, who shall be a representative of a Connecticut legal services program and who has experience working in family law;
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19-(4) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, who shall be a representative of the family law section of the Connecticut Bar Association;
23+This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
24+Section 1 October 1, 2011 46b-59
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21-(5) Three appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, one who shall be an attorney who has experience representing the interests of parents and two who shall be chosen from the ranking members of the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to aging or the judiciary or of the select committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to children;
26+This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
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23-(6) Three appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, one who shall be a social work professional and two who shall be chosen from the ranking members of the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to aging or the judiciary or of the select committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to children;
28+Section 1
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25-(7) The chairs of the joint committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to aging, or their designees;
30+October 1, 2011
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27-(8) The chairs of the joint committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to the judiciary, or their designees;
32+46b-59
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29-(9) The chairs of the select committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to children, or their designees;
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31-(10) A representative of the family law division of the Judicial Branch; and
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33-(11) The Commissioner of Children and Families, or the commissioner's designee.
36+AGE Joint Favorable Subst.
37+JUD Joint Favorable
38+GAE Joint Favorable
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35-(c) Any member of the task force appointed under subdivision (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) or (6) of subsection (b) of this section may be a member of the General Assembly.
40+AGE
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37-(d) All appointments to the task force shall be made not later than thirty days after the effective date of this section. Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority.
42+Joint Favorable Subst.
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39-(e) The speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro tempore of the Senate shall select the chairpersons of the task force, from among the members of the task force. Such chairpersons shall schedule the first meeting of the task force, which shall be held not later than sixty days after the effective date of this section.
44+JUD
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41-(f) The administrative staff of the Commission on Aging shall serve as administrative staff of the task force, within available appropriations.
46+Joint Favorable
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43-(g) Not later than February 1, 2012, the task force shall submit a report on its findings and recommendations, including any recommendations for legislation to enhance visitation rights for grandparents, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to aging and the judiciary and to the select committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to children, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes. The task force shall terminate on the date that it submits such report or February 1, 2012, whichever is later.
48+GAE
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50+Joint Favorable