House OKs grandparents rights in custody cases

? The Kansas House has approved a compromise bill involving the rights of grandparents in custody cases.

The bill approved Monday gives “substantial consideration” to grandparents of children who have been removed from their parents’ custody.

The Wichita Eagle reports the bill is not as strong as one originally passed by the House, which would have given grandparents “preference” in custody disputes.

After the Senate passed a version that would have required courts to give “consideration” to grandparents, the compromise bill was worked out.

Under the bill, if a judge decides not to place a grandchild with grandparents, the reason would have to be recorded in the official case record.

The bill now goes to a final vote in the Senate.