R.T. v. J.E.

SEGAL, J.S.C.

Defendants challenge the constitutionality of New Jersey’s grandparent visitation statute, N.J.S.A 9:2 — 7.1. They allege the statute is violative of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution in that it impermissibly interferes with parents’ fundamental right of liberty to raise children as they see fit. After an extensive review of similar statutes across the nation and opinions of various state courts, this court concludes that N.J.S.A. 9:2-7.1 is constitutional.

Plaintiffs M.T. and R.T. are the maternal grandparents of three children ages 12, 8 and 2. The…