A bill for an act relating to the placement of siblings when custody of the siblings has been transferred to the department of health and human services or an agency for placement.

HF 2154 modifies Iowa law regarding sibling placement in foster care. It removes the requirement for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or a placement agency to place siblings together when custody has been transferred to HHS, *if* all three conditions are met: (1) custody was previously transferred to HHS and HHS placed one sibling, (2) HHS placed the child or sibling, and (3) HHS determined the siblings have little or no established relationship. This bill directly affects children in foster care under HHS custody whose siblings are also in care. The change applies specifically to cases where HHS has already made a placement decision and assessed the sibling relationship.