Establishes a process by which a person who is not the parent of a child may petition for visitation rights with the child if the person has established an ongoing and substantial relationship with the child. This act directs the court to grant visitation rights if the child would likely suffer harm or the substantial risk of harm if visitation between the petitioner and the child is not granted and if granting visitation between the child and petitioner is in the best interest of the child.   Official Text and Analysis.

Provides that an ongoing and substantial relationship may not be established based solely on a relationship that results from the person's role as a paid or volunteer service provider, such as a teacher, counselor, coach, or child care provider. Allows consideration of the financial resources of all parties when determining whether to order the petitioner to pay fees in advance. In addition, it requires the court to order the petitioner to pay costs and attorneys' fees if the petitioner brought the action in bad faith or without a reasonable basis.

Provides that an "ongoing and substantial relationship" must be based on a relationship with substantial continuity for at least two years (rather than at least one year), unless the child is under the age of two years, in which case there must be substantial continuity for at least half of the child's life..

Adds "the love, affection, and strength of the current relationship between the child and the respondent" to the list of factors that a court shall consider when determining whether visitation is in the best interest of the child.

Clarifies that the petitioner must allege in his or her affidavit that the petitioner has an ongoing and substantial relationship with the child.

Clarifies that the petitioner must allege in his or her affidavit that the petitioner has an ongoing and substantial relationship with the child.

Provides that either the parent consented to or allowed the formation of the relationship, or the relationship formed as a result of the parent's unavailability or inability to perform caretaking functions, for a substantial period of time while the substantial relationship was being formed.

Amends the definition of "parent" to specify that the term means a "fit" biological, adoptive, or adjudicated parent.

Establishes new standards and procedures for a person who is not a parent to petition for visitation with a child, and repeals existing statutes relating to third-party visitation actions.