Grandparents’ Visitation Rights Partially Expanded

On June 25, 2022, Governor DeSantis signed HB 1119, also known as the “Markel Act,” into law. This law prevents alienation between children and their grandparents in narrowly tailored, tragic situations. More precisely, this new law allows grandparents to petition courts for visitation with their grandchildren where a remaining living parent was found at fault by a criminal or civil court for the other parent’s death.

Governor DeSantis Vetoes SB 1796

A bill that would have brought sweeping changes to Alimony, Child Time Sharing and Marital Waste has been vetoed by Governor Ron DeSantis. As reasoning for his veto, he stated that, “If (SB 1796) were to become law and be given retroactive effect as the Legislature intends, it would unconstitutionally impair vested rights under certain preexisting marital settlement agreements.”

This is the third proposal vetoed by a republican governor in the last decade despite being passed by an overwhelming majority of republicans in both the House and Senate.

We look forward to the next legislative session to see if this bill will be passed again by the legislature.