HB 2251 - DIGEST

     Provides that a person who is not a parent of the child may petition the court for visitation with the child if the petitioner can demonstrate that:

     (1) There is a substantial relationship between the petitioner and the child;

     (2) The petitioner has been unreasonably denied visitation with the child by a parent, custodian, or other person with primary decision-making authority over the child; and

     (3) There has been a significant change in circumstances with either the child, the petitioner, or the parent, custodian, or other person having primary decision-making authority over the child that threatens the substantial relationship between the child and the petitioner.  The change in circumstances could include, but is not limited to, a dissolution, legal separation, informal physical separation, death of a parent, or other significant change in the family structure.