Expressing the sense of the Congress that State agencies and other providers of foster care services should make every effort to ensure siblings remain together in the foster system.

IV 116TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 95 Expressing the sense of the Congress that State agencies and other providers of foster care services should make every effort to ensure siblings remain together in the foster system. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MARCH 4, 2020 Ms. KUSTER of New Hampshire (for herself, Mrs. HARTZLER, Ms. BASS, and Mr. BACON) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was re- ferred to the Committee on Education and Labor CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of the Congress that State agencies and other providers of foster care services should make every effort to ensure siblings remain together in the foster system. Whereas sibling relationships are important and should be recognized and respected; Whereas sibling relationships provide needed continuity and stability during a child’s placement 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; VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:38 Mar 04, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HC95.IH HC95 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •HCON 95 IH Whereas the Fostering Connections to Success and Pro- moting Adoption Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–351) re- quires that States 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; Whereas, in a case where siblings are removed from their home and not placed jointly, the State is to provide for their frequent visitation or interaction, unless the State documents that such a joint placement 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 con- tact; and Whereas every foster child deserves the right to know and be actively involved in their siblings’ lives absent extraor- dinary circumstances: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 1 concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that 2 State agencies and other providers of foster care services 3 should— 4 (1) make every effort to ensure that children 5 are placed in homes with their siblings; 6 (2) ensure that siblings who are not placed to- 7 gether are provided with ample opportunities to com- 8 municate with each other and remain connected; and 9 VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:38 Mar 04, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HC95.IH HC95 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 3 •HCON 95 IH (3) in a case where siblings are not placed 1 jointly, document the reasons why. 2 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:38 Mar 04, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HC95.IH HC95 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS