AN ACT RELATING TO DOMESTIC RELATIONS -- ADOPTION OF CHILDREN

SB 728 requires family courts to establish court-ordered visitation rights between siblings separated through adoption, foster care placement, or guardianship. It directly affects children who are placed in adoptive, foster, or guardianship situations and separated from their siblings. The law mandates courts to grant these visitation rights if they determine it serves the children’s best interests, there is a significant emotional bond between siblings, and all parties (including birth parents and guardians) negotiate in good faith. The court must consider the child’s input if they are 12 or older, and agencies like child protective services must recommend visitation unless safety risks exist. This replaces ad-hoc arrangements with a standardized court process for maintaining sibling connections.