Delaware 150th General Assembly (2019-2020) Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 6 D · 3 R cosponsors

SB 165 — AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 13 OF THE DELAWARE CODE REGARDING DSCYF CUSTODY.

Last action — Stricken in Senate

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 150th General Assembly (2019-2020). It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

This Act recognizes the importance of sibling relationships to promote continuity and sustain family relationships for children in foster care by doing all of the following: 1. Requires a child's service plan include contact information and details regarding sibling visits, unless sibling visits are not in the best interest of either child. 2. Requires DSCYF to arrange visits with siblings when requested by a child, unless the visit is not in the best interest of a child, would violate a protection order, or would have a detrimental effect on the prosecution of a criminal case. 3. Provides a child with specific rights regarding their siblings, including placement near or with siblings if possible, and the ability to maintain frequent and meaningful contact if placement together is not possible. This Act also requires that a child, age 14 or older receive a written document containing the child's rights regarding placement and contact with siblings. This Act is known as the "Foster Child Siblings Bill of Rights".

Bill Text

Action History

  1. Stricken in Senate

  2. Introduced and Assigned to Health & Social Services Committee in Senate

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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3 sponsors · 13 co-sponsors · 46 not signed on

Sponsors (3)

Co-sponsors (13)

Not signed on (46)

46 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Subjects

public-safety civil-rights
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Frequently asked questions

What does SB 165 do?
This Act recognizes the importance of sibling relationships to promote continuity and sustain family relationships for children in foster care by doing all of the following: 1. Requires a child's service plan include contact information and details regarding sibling visits, unless sibling visits are not in the best interest of either child. 2. Requires DSCYF to arrange visits with siblings when requested by a child, unless the visit is not in the best interest of a child, would violate a protection order, or would have a detrimental effect on the prosecution of a criminal case. 3. Provides a child with specific rights regarding their siblings, including placement near or with siblings if possible, and the ability to maintain frequent and meaningful contact if placement together is not possible. This Act also requires that a child, age 14 or older receive a written document containing the child's rights regarding placement and contact with siblings. This Act is known as the "Foster Child Siblings Bill of Rights".
Who sponsors SB 165?
SB 165 is sponsored by Edward S. Osienski (Democratic), Kendra Johnson (Democratic), David L. Wilson (Republican), David P. Sokola (Democratic), Bryant L. Richardson (Republican), Gerald W. Hocker (Republican), Stephanie L. Hansen (Democratic), Laura V. Sturgeon (Democratic), Ray Seigfried (Democratic), Catherine Cloutier, Paul S. Baumbach, Sherry Dorsey Walker, Anthony Delcollo, Ernesto B Lopez, John A. Kowalko, and Michael Ramone.
What is the current status of SB 165?
This bill died with 150th General Assembly (2019-2020). It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 165?
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Last checked for changes 2 months ago · updated continuously

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