What is a grandfather clause?

Cheyenne S

It is an exception that allows an old rule to continue to apply to some existing situations, when a new rule will apply to all future situations.

It is often used as a verb: to grandfather means to grant such an exemption. For example, a "grandfathered power plant" might be exempt from newer and tougher pollution laws.

Often, such a provision is used as a compromise, to effect new rules without upsetting a well-established logistical or political situation.

This extends the idea of a rule not being retroactively applied.

PortugueÂ§e G!rl

GRANDFATHER CLAUSE - A provision exempting persons or other entities already engaged in an activity from rules or legislation affecting that activity.

Grandfather clauses sometimes are added to legislation in order to avoid antagonizing groups with established interests in the activities affected.

brodyburks

A grandfather clause means that a law has changed, but it will only apply going forward, not looking back.

For example, say a city passes a law that bans the operation of nightclubs inside the city limits, but it includes a grandfather clause. That means that any clubs *currently* operating are allowed to continue to do so, but no new clubs could open.

Blossomo

Here's an example. The NHL imposed a rule that all hockey players must wear helmets. At the time, there were still guys who preferred to play without a helmet. The NHL let those guys go helmetless (they were "grandfathered in"), but players joining the league thereafter had to abide by the new rules.

Or let's say a company used to match 401k contributions for all of its employees. It might say that for all employees who are employed as of 5/1/08, they will continue to get matching contributions (they are grandfathered), but those employees hired later don't.

customizedsongwriter

This means that they do not want to take away from the rights of the people who have it better and the laws are changing.

For example:

If 2 people had swimming pools in their back yard and the law stated that no one else can have swimming pools because of lack of water, the grand father clause would still allow those 2 people to have swimming pools.

I hope this helps.

Slacker

Definition: In 1870, after African Americans were given the right to vote through the 15th Amendment, some Southern states added grandfather clauses to their state Constitutions to counter this new right. Typical clauses stated that the right to vote extended only to citizens or their descendants who had the right to vote prior to 1866 or 1867. The U.S. Supreme Court declared grandfather clauses unconstitutional in 1915 and in 1939.

JYogi

If you have an older heater which does not meet current specifications you are granfathered in, you are allowed to keep your non compliant heater as it was legal when it was installed.

I hope that gives you a good idea, it can apply to all kinds of things...

ogain11

Something is usually grandfathered when a new law is put into effect that would change the status of the thing. for instance, laws requiring seat belts do not apply ( in some states) to cars manufactured before seat belts were mandatory.Same thing with the 3rd brake light. sometimes jobs that have been done for years without specialized training,evolve into specialized jobs. most employers will "grandfather" the employees already doing the job so they do not require the training, a new employee would need, to do the job they are already doing.

peace is the answer

It allows an old rule to be allowed in some situations when a new rule is created. Wikipedia defines it well. I always wondered what it meant myself; thanks for motivating me to look it up! :)

fantasy.blue

A grandfather clause is like when someone was already doing something one way then they made a law to do it another the person doing it before the law was made can be grandfathered in to it and still be able to continue doing business the way he was before the law was made even though everyone else must follow that new law.

Suzy

it means if you already recieve some type of benifit or priviledge you will continue to get it even thought they do not offer it anymore.

Case

My guess is that is probably means that one law is ending and a new one is beginning. The old law is being "grandfathered" out of the system.

Precious

Generally, you can be "grandfathered" into something. It means that basically you have been around so long, a new rule does not affect you.

Lil Cleveland216

something about if ur gandfather was a former slave or something well anyways if he voted u can vote 2
i cant werd it rite now that ud understand but it has 2 do wit voting

Nick

Santa's father?

Stevie xo

Probably that it is old and useless?

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