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Senate adopts statutory definition of in loco parentis after heated debate on grandparents and stepparents
Summary
The Senate passed HB 148 to define 'in loco parentis' as a voluntary, temporary delegation of parental authority; a floor amendment was adopted to clarify the bill does not alter grandparents' visitation rights, but several senators warned it could restrict remedies for grandparents and stepparents.
Senator Thomas sponsored a bill to put the common‑law doctrine of in loco parentis into statute, arguing the change would clarify that such arrangements are temporary and voluntary and should not be used to assert parental rights contrary to biological parents.
A lengthy floor debate followed. Senator McCoy and others warned that the…
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