Indiana Senate Approves Measure to Allow Sibling Visitation for Foster Children

Bill would help children in foster care maintain relationship with siblings

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The Senate voted 48 to 0 today to approve legislation that would help children in foster care maintain relationships with their siblings, despite being cared for in separate families. Senate Bill 91, co-authored by State Senator Tim Skinner (D-Terre Haute) would require the state Department of Child Services (DCS) to allow sibling visitation for children receiving foster care if the visit was in the best interest of the child in foster care.

"The number of children in foster care has increased dramatically throughout the Wabash Valley in recent years," Skinner said. "By allowing siblings to see one another and maintain their relationships, we can bring some comfort to children placed in this difficult situation."

Current DCS policy encourages sibling visitation for children in foster care, but accommodating these requests is largely at the discretion of the foster parents unless ordered by the court. Including this provision in state law puts the children's needs first by allowing DCS to authorize the visitation upon the request of the siblings without permission from the foster parents.

According to testimony heard last year by the Interim Study Committee on Missing Children, older siblings are not allowed to contact younger siblings in foster care without parental permission. One young woman who is a former foster youth told the committee that she has several siblings in foster care, but cannot visit them because she does not get along with her mother. She asked the Committee to propose this legislation to help other foster children visit with siblings and maintain their relationships with or without parental permission.

According to the legislation, if DCS denies a visitation, a child's Guardian ad Litem or court appointed special advocate would petition the court to allow the visitation. The court would then determine if the visitation is in the best interest of the foster child. For more information on Sen. Skinner, his legislative agenda or other State Senate business call 1-800-382-9467 or visit www.senatedemocrats.IN.gov.

Source: Senate Democrats Press Release

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