Grandparents from across the state shared stories at the State Capitol Friday about not being able to see their grandchildren.

They're trying to get state lawmakers to pass a bill that would grant them more visitation rights.

They are grandparents that for one reason or another do not have legal access or visitation with their grandchildren; and now they're fighting to change that.

Dozens of grandparents gathered in a committee room at the Capitol to voice their frustrations.

They were led by Hot Springs grandmother Jeannette Dodge. She decided to organize this group after running into legal issues that keep her from seeing two of her grandchildren.Dodge says, "Grandparents all across Arkansas are being cut off from their grandchildren; the law as it is now does not provide a continuancy of relationship for their children in some circumstances where there is divorce."

Dodge requested the ear of State Rep. Gene Shelby who represents her district. The lawmaker listened for more than an hour, to story after story of heartbroken grandparents, who by whatever circumstance have no access to their grandchildren.

Dodge says, "There are grandparents out there whose children gave up rights to the grandchildren and they are not called upon as first choice for homes for those children."In Arkansas when a child is in foster care and parental rights have been terminated, that means grandparents don't have rights either; but a judge can grant visitation if it's deemed in the child's best interest.

If parental rights are still intact and a child is removed from the home,grandparents, aunts, and uncles are the preferred placement.The grandparents are fighting for more rights, even if parental rights have been terminated.

Shelby, an emergency room physician, admits legal issues aren't his area of expertise, but promised he would research the issues and meet with them again.Shelby says, "These grandparents love and care about them so much it seems like there something we could do in our state government to help match these needy kids to this amount of care and love that these grandparents are experiencing."

Shelby hopes to meet again with the group in one month. He needs more specifics from them; and in the meantime he will have some research done at the State Capitol.Shelby is also working hard on legislation that is designed to create a level one trauma system in Arkansas.

Another representative filed a grandparents rights bill. Representative Rick Green of Fort Smith filed the bill. (see related link) Both Representatives Shelby and Green say they would like to possibly work together on merging their ideas.