H 3168 General Bill, By W.J. McLeod, G.R. Smith and Long
 A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 63-3-530, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
 1976, RELATING TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE FAMILY COURT, INCLUDING THE
 AUTHORITY TO ORDER GRANDPARENT VISITATION, SO AS TO DELETE PROVISIONS
 REQUIRING ONE OR BOTH OF THE PARENTS OF THE CHILD TO BE DECEASED OR REQUIRING
 THE PARENTS TO BE DIVORCED OR LIVING SEPARATE AND APART, PROVIDING THAT
 DEPRIVING GRANDPARENT VISITATION TO BE IN EXCESS OF NINETY DAYS, REQUIRING THE
 GRANDPARENT TO HAVE MAINTAINED A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHILD SIMILAR TO A
 PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP, AND REQUIRING THE COURT TO FIND THAT THE CHILD'S
 PARENTS ARE UNFIT; AND TO DELETE THE CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE STANDARD TO
 OVERCOME THE PARENT'S DECISION TO DENY GRANDPARENT VISITATION.

   12/18/12  House  Prefiled
   12/18/12  House  Referred to Committee on Judiciary
   01/08/13  House  Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 112)
   01/08/13  House  Referred to Committee on Judiciary
                     (House Journal-page 112)

TO AMEND SECTION 63-3-530, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE FAMILY COURT, INCLUDING THE AUTHORITY TO ORDER GRANDPARENT VISITATION, SO AS TO DELETE PROVISIONS REQUIRING ONE OR BOTH OF THE PARENTS OF THE CHILD TO BE DECEASED OR REQUIRING THE PARENTS TO BE DIVORCED OR LIVING SEPARATE AND APART, PROVIDING THAT DEPRIVING GRANDPARENT VISITATION TO BE IN EXCESS OF NINETY DAYS, REQUIRING THE GRANDPARENT TO HAVE MAINTAINED A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHILD SIMILAR TO A PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP, AND REQUIRING THE COURT TO FIND THAT THE CHILD'S PARENTS ARE UNFIT; AND TO DELETE THE CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE STANDARD TO OVERCOME THE PARENT'S DECISION TO DENY GRANDPARENT VISITATION.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Section 63-3-530(A)(33) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 267 of 2010, is further amended by read:

"(33)    to order visitation for the grandparent of a minor child where either or both parents of the minor child is or are deceased, or are divorced, or are living separate and apart in different habitats, if the court finds that:

(1)(a)    the child's parents or guardians are unreasonably depriving the grandparent of the opportunity to visit with the child, including denying visitation of the minor child to the grandparent for a period exceeding ninety days; and

(2)(b)    the grandparent maintained a relationship similar to a parent-child relationship with the minor child; and

(3)    that awarding grandparent visitation would not interfere with the parent-child relationship; and:

(a)    the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the child's parents or guardians are unfit; or

(b)(c)    the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that there are compelling circumstances to overcome the presumption that the parental decision is in the child's best interest.

The judge presiding over this matter may award attorney's fees and costs to the prevailing party.

For purposes of this item, 'grandparent' means the natural or adoptive parent of any parent to a minor child;"

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.