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DE SB79
Bill
Status
5/13/2025
Primary Sponsor
David Wilson
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AI Summary
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Establishes a right to free court-appointed legal counsel for relatives seeking to terminate parental rights and adopt a child, regardless of the relative's income level
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Eligibility requires the petitioner to be a relative of the child, have guardianship of the child, and the guardianship order must have been entered while the child was in Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families (DSCYF) custody
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Appointed counsel must represent the relative at all stages of proceedings, including pre-filing preparation, simultaneous adoption proceedings, and any appeals to the Supreme Court
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Requires DSCYF to prepare and file required social study and report documents at no cost to relatives who qualify for appointed counsel
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Makes technical corrections to conform existing law to Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual standards
Legislative Description
An Act To Amend Title 13 Of The Delaware Code Relating To Termination Of Parental Rights And Adoption Proceedings.
Last Action
Adopted in lieu of the original bill SB 79, and Assigned to Finance Committee in Senate
5/13/2025