Tennessee judges may soon have legal authority to grant visitation rights to grandparents fighting to see their grandchildren and that's a first.
10News first told you about the plan back in May when both the Senate and House passed it.
It's sponsored by Johnson City Republican Senator Rusty Crowe. Among other things, the measure calls for the court to consider whether parents are depriving a grandparent of the chance to visit a child.
Some think the new bill is a great idea. Others are skeptical it will even make a difference.
Charlotte Jeffries is knitting a quilt for her grandchildren. She's starting with the youngest, and hoping to one day make one for the grandchild she knows the least.
"She's just special in my heart, she's Dale's first child," said Jeffries.
Jeffries explains for 14 years her son has been fighting to see his child. Since he can't see him, neither can Charlotte, "She doesn't want him to have any contact this has been going on for 14 years."
Charlotte's son is Franklin Jeffries. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison last week for posting a video rant threatening a Knox County judge.
Charlotte said the visitation fight has nothing to do with that. It's just an on-going family feud.
"I'm tickled to death. I can't wait till July 1st gets here," explained Jeffries.
"Grandparents certainly should not be ruled out just as a matter of law, but I think it's going to put more of a burden on an already overwhelmed judiciary," said Knox County Attorney, Dennis Francis.
Francis said he is concerned the new bill will put more of a burden on the courts and families. Another custody battle could be too much, "It's easy to pass legislation. It's very difficult to enforce it, it's difficult to make it fit each situation."
Both the House and the Senate passed the bill. It now sits on Governor Haslam's desk.
http://www.wbir.com/news/article/172534/2/Judges-could-soon-decide-grandparent-visitation-rights
