[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 102 (Tuesday, June 2, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S2652]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 603--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT STATE 
AGENCIES AND OTHER PROVIDERS OF FOSTER CARE SERVICES SHOULD MAKE EVERY 
   EFFORT TO ENSURE THAT SIBLINGS REMAIN TOGETHER IN THE FOSTER CARE 
                                 SYSTEM

  Ms. KLOBUCHAR (for herself, Mr. Blunt, Mr. Kaine, Mrs. Capito, Ms. 
Rosen, Mr. Lankford, Mr. Moran, Mrs. Loeffler, Mr. Inhofe, and Mr. 
Tillis) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:

                              S. Res. 603

       Whereas sibling relationships are important and should be 
     recognized and respected;
       Whereas sibling relationships provide needed continuity and 
     stability during the placement of a child in foster care;
       Whereas the sibling bond is unique and separate from the 
     parent-child bond, and may include relations with people not 
     linked by blood;
       Whereas siblings share similar history, heritage, culture, 
     and often biology;
       Whereas the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing 
     Adoptions Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-351; 122 Stat. 3949) 
     requires that States make reasonable efforts--
       (1) to place siblings removed from their home in the same 
     foster care, kinship guardianship, or adoptive placement, 
     unless the State documents that such a joint placement would 
     be contrary to the safety or well-being of any of the 
     siblings; and
       (2) in a case where siblings are removed from their home 
     and not placed jointly, to provide for frequent visitation or 
     interaction between the siblings, unless the State documents 
     that frequent visitation or interaction would be contrary to 
     the safety or well-being of any of the siblings;
       Whereas sibling separation is a significant and distinct 
     loss that must be ameliorated by frequent and regular 
     contact; and
       Whereas all foster children deserve the right to know and 
     be actively involved in the lives of their siblings absent 
     extraordinary circumstances: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that State 
     agencies and other providers of foster care services should--
       (1) make every effort to ensure that children are placed in 
     homes with their siblings;
       (2) ensure that siblings who are not placed together are 
     provided with ample opportunities to communicate with each 
     other and remain connected; and
       (3) in a case where siblings are not placed jointly, 
     document the reasons why.

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