Visitation rights: grandparent rights.

Existing law provides that a grandparent may petition the court for visitation rights. The court may grant visitation if the court finds that the grandparent and grandchild have a preexisting relationship that has engendered a bond such that granting the grandparent visitation is in the best interest of the child and the court balances the interest of the child in having visitation with the grandparent against the parents' right to exercise their parental authority, subject to specified exceptions. Existing law prohibits a grandparent from filing a petition for visitation while the natural or adoptive parents are married, unless one or more of several circumstances are present, including that the child is not residing with either parent. This bill would additionally permit a grandparent to file a petition for visitation while the natural or adoptive parents are married if one of the parents is incarcerated or involuntarily institutionalized.