Kansas House Passes Bill Mandating Grandparent Consideration

This morning, the Kansas House passed Conference Committee changes to #SB262 (Grandparent Custody Consideration in CINC Cases). The bill passed 120-0 and proceeds now back to the Senate for a final vote. The Conference Committee amended to the bill to requires that when a child is removed from parents’ custody, the courts give “substantial consideration” to naming grandparents as the child’s custodians. The bill does not provide any guidance for deciding which of the grandparents should be more highly considered if the grandparents disagree over whom should have custody. The bill does not apply to child custody proceedings between parents in divorce, parentage, or post-decree matters, but only in proceedings  under the Kansas Code for Care of Children.

The Conference Committee amendments are here.
The Conference Committee Report is here.