Harvest, Huntsville, Madison, Monrovia, News, Unincorporated Madison County
 By  GreggParker Published 
4:18 pm Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Grandparents’ Rights Bill submitted to legislature

 

The Grandparents' Rights Bill (SB55) has been introduced to the Alabama State Legislature. CONTRIBUTED

The Grandparents’ Rights Bill (SB55) has been introduced to the Alabama State Legislature. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – A Madison resident is spearheading a bill for visitation rights of grandparents to see their grandchildren.

The Grandparents’ Rights Bill SB55 (Senate Bill 55) would give grandparents the authority to see their grandchildren, coordinator DeLourdes ‘Dee’ Booker said.

“This authorization would not apply when both parents agree to exclude a grandparent from their child’s life, but, if parents are divorced or one parent has died, the court should have the right to review one parent’s decision to alienate the child from half of his or her family,” Booker said.

Booker has founded the Grandparents ROC (Grandparents for the Rights of Children) organization to support the pending legislation. Retired judge Jimmy Sandlin of Huntsville has assisted Booker with the process.

As of Feb. 17, the “bill is sitting in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The committee must pass the bill before it goes to the senate and house. The bill must pass the senate and the house to become law,” Booker said.

“The legislative session will (adjourn) at the end of March. The judiciary committee is dealing with a lot of bills, so the bill could sit there until the last minute,” Booker said. “There’s no way to tell how quickly it could get past the committee.”

Citizens who want to endorse the bill can call Sen. Cam Ward at 334-242-7873 or email cam@camward.com and Sen. Gerald Allen at 334-242-7889 or gerald.allen@alsenate. Callers must include “Grandparents’ Rights Bill (SB55)” in their messages.

“Do it today, even to leave messages and then call again tomorrow,” Booker said. “We need for everyone to start sending letters, emails and making calls to your local legislators.”

If the Senate Judiciary Committee approves the Grandparents’ Rights Bill, Booker’s organization, Grandparents ROC, will go to Montgomery and speak to the Senate and plead their case, she said.

To find legislators’ contact information, visit www.legislature.state.al.us and click “Find My Legislator.”

To access the petition for Grandparents ROC, visit change.org/p/alabama-governor-pass-grandparents-rights-visitation-law.

Also on The Madison Record
Space Command relocation to Huntsville to bring area growth
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Staff Reports 
September 10, 2025
HUNTSVILLE — Officials expect at least 1,400 jobs to be directly added to the north Alabama area with the U.S. Space Command Headquarters permanently ...
Newly elected Madison mayor to depart US Chess role
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Ranae Bartlett was named US Chess Executive Director in 2024
By JOHN HARTMANN US Chess Press 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - It is said that no one can serve two masters. And so US Chess Executive Director Ranae Bartlett is trading Caïssa for the people of Madison,...
Triana Fire Department train for medical helicopter operation
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
TRIANA – Firefighters who work in Triana Fire Department recently accomplished a new milestone in their training to serve and protect their town. On-s...
Itty Bitty Bakers sweetens the community with classes
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
By KADIE TAYLOR news@themadisonrecord.com 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - Sweeten your day, Itty Bitty Bakers offers baking classes for locals, from 18 months to adults. Itty Bitty Bakers owner Kayla Johnson has be...
Madison Visionary Partners to host Gather Madison, volunteers needed
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
EVENTS
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
MADISON – In its premiere in 2025, the Gather Madison event will unite residents of all backgrounds at one long table for a free, shared meal in the s...
Kids to Love to go “Over the Edge” for children in foster care Sept. 19-20
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Staff Reports 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - Bold, compassionate individuals will be going “Over the Edge” for Kids to Love during a thrilling two-day fundraiser where participants rapp...
The Madison Street Festival is less than a month away
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
MADISON – The first Saturday in October. That’s the day Madison residents turn out to visit with friends and neighbors, promote school groups, shop fo...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *