HB5592 Summary

• Department of Children and Family Services must place children with siblings whenever possible unless not in each child's best interest, with preference for placements that preserve sibling relationships when separation occurs.

• Establishes sibling placement and contact procedures including a Sibling Contact Support Plan that sets frequency, duration, and location of visits between separated siblings in state care.

• Creates Post Permanency Sibling Contact Agreements as voluntary, non-enforceable written agreements between adoptive/guardian parents and siblings regarding post-adoption contact, with Department assistance available.

• Requires Department to develop registry of adopted and privately-guardianship-placed siblings and contact adoptive parents when siblings subsequently enter care for possible placement together.

• Adds sibling contact and placement considerations to court permanency hearings and temporary custody orders, including Juvenile Court Act definitions of sibling relationships and best interest determinations.