MN HF3626

Establishes a foster care sibling bill of rights in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 260C, granting children in foster care the right to be placed with siblings when possible and in their best interest, or in close geographical proximity if separate placement is necessary.

Guarantees frequent contact with siblings through multiple methods including telephone calls, text messaging, social media, video calls, and regular face-to-face visits that cannot be withheld as behavioral consequences.

Requires annual provision of contact information (telephone number, address, email) for all siblings in foster care and regular updated photographs, with timing and regularity of visits outlined in each child's service plan.

Entitles children to be actively involved in siblings' lives and celebrations, receive prompt notification of placement changes, participate in permanency planning decisions, and be informed of post-adoption contact expectations.

Makes disclosure of these rights mandatory for child welfare agencies upon entry to foster care and applies to all children in foster care as of August 1, 2018, with full effect for children entering foster care on or after that date.