At a time when states are more likely to be whittling away grandparent visitation rights in the event of the separation / divorce of the grandchildren’s parents or the death of their own child, Nevada’s legislature is entertaining a grandparent visitation bill – for the situation where the grandchildren’s parents are both still alive and together.

Nevada already has a grandparent visitation statute available for the situation where the grandchildren’s parents separate. Despite that statute, it is reportedly quite difficult for grandparents to win visitation rights in the event of the separation of the grandchildren’s parents.

Supporters of the bill believe that parents don’t always make decisions that serve their children’s best interests, such as when they have substance abuse problems.

Opponents insist that parents have the constitutional right to raise their children free from state or other interference.

Nonetheless, where children are neglected or abused, because their parents have substance abuse problems or otherwise, there are alternative mechanisms for grandparents and other relatives to obtain access to grandchildren – and even to seek to have their grandchildren temporarily placed with them.

Read more in this Las Vegas Sun article: Nevada lawmakers hear testimony on grandparent visitation.