BILL NO. 18

(da) "grandparent" means the parent of a parent of a child;

2 (1) Subsection 18(2) of Chapter 160, as amended by Chapter 5 of the Acts of 1990, is further amended by

(a) adding ", grandparent" after "parent" in the second line; and

(b) adding ", grandparent" after "parent" in the second line of clause (b).

(2) Section 18 of Chapter 160, as amended by Chapter 5 of the Acts of 1990, is further amended by adding immediately after subsection (1) the following subsection:

(2A) The court shall, before setting a trial date on the application pursuant to subsection (2), ensure that both parties are aware of the option of mediation to settle any issues in dispute.

(3) Section 18 of Chapter 160, as amended by Chapter 5 of the Acts of 1990, is further amended by adding immediately after subsection (5) the following subsections:

(6) In making an order under subsection (2), the court shall take into consideration
(a) the principle that a child should have as much contact with each parent and grandparent as is consistent with the welfare of the child;

(b) the importance of maintaining emotional ties between the child and the child's parents and grandparents; and

(c) the willingness of each applicant for custody to facilitate the child's contact with each parent and grandparent.

(7) An order for custody or access or both custody and access must include a determination of the rights of the child's grandparent to access.

(8) A person who has custody of a child shall not unreasonably place obstacles to personal contact between the child and the child's grandparents.

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