Utah Lawmaker Introduces Bill Protecting Adult Children’s Parental Visitation Rights

A Utah lawmaker is sponsoring a bill that will protect the right of adult children to visit ailing parents.  Republican State Senator Todd Weiler sponsored the legislation after discussing the issue with the daughter of late actor Peter Falk.  Catherine Falk has been pushing for similar legislation across the country. 

The dispute between B.B. King’s daughters and his guardian has brought renewed attention to the issue of adult children being denied the right to visit an ill parent with diminished capacity by someone else who has power of attorney.  This legislation aims to give adult children the ability to secure visitation rights without having to go through a difficult court battle.  Sen. Tom Weiler hopes that Utah lawmakers will pass the bill during the 2016 legislative session.

See Michelle L. Price, Utah bill would protect the right to visit ailing parents, Deseret News, May 31, 2015.