A resolution 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.

III 116TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION S. RES. 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. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES JUNE 2, 2020 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 RESOLUTION 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. 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; VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:21 Jun 02, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR603.IS SR603 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •SRES 603 IS Whereas siblings share similar history, heritage, culture, and often biology; Whereas the Fostering Connections to Success and Increas- ing Adoptions Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–351; 122 Stat. 3949) requires that States make reasonable ef- forts— (1) to place siblings removed from their home in the same foster care, kinship guardianship, or adoptive place- ment, unless the State documents that such a joint place- ment 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 visi- tation 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 con- tact; and Whereas all foster children deserve the right to know and be actively involved in the lives of their siblings absent ex- traordinary circumstances: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that State 1 agencies and other providers of foster care services 2 should— 3 (1) make every effort to ensure that children 4 are placed in homes with their siblings; 5 VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:21 Jun 02, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR603.IS SR603 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 3 •SRES 603 IS (2) ensure that siblings who are not placed to- 1 gether are provided with ample opportunities to com- 2 municate with each other and remain connected; and 3 (3) in a case where siblings are not placed 4 jointly, document the reasons why. 5 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:21 Jun 02, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR603.IS SR603 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS