Kansas House OK’s Grandparents Rights in Custody Cases

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – The Kansas House has approved a compromise

bill involving the rights of grandparents in custody cases.

The bill approved Monday gives "substantial consideration" to

grandparents of children who have been removed from their parents’

custody.

The Wichita Eagle reports (http://bit.ly/IOI5Sb ) the bill is

not as strong as one originally passed by the House, which would

have given grandparents "preference" in custody disputes.

After the Senate passed a version that would have required

courts to give "consideration" to grandparents, the compromise

bill was worked out.

Under the bill, if a judge decides not to place a grandchild

with grandparents, the reason would have to be recorded in the

official case record.

The bill now goes to a final vote in the Senate.

—