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NY S09425
Bill
Status
Introduced
3/11/2026
Primary Sponsor
Jabari Brisport
Click for details
AI Summary
- Eliminates the automatic denial of reunification efforts when a parent's rights to a sibling have been previously terminated, removing this as a standalone ground for bypassing family preservation services
- Requires courts to find by clear and convincing evidence that termination of parental rights is in the child's best interests, and mandates consideration of less drastic alternatives including guardianship or custody with relatives
- Expands the definition of "diligent efforts" agencies must make to strengthen parent-child relationships, including affirmative, repeated, and meaningful attempts to assist families, with specific requirements for incarcerated parents
- Adds new "compelling reasons" allowing agencies to forgo termination petitions, including when no adoptive parent has been identified, the caregiver hasn't been consulted about guardianship, or the parent was in foster care themselves
- Requires permanency planning to consider maintaining children's connections to parents, siblings, extended family, and community, and allows courts to approve adoptions over agency objections if in the child's best interests
Legislative Description
Relates to protecting family relationships to ensure that family ties are not severed unnecessarily or counter to children's best interests.
Last Action
REFERRED TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
3/11/2026
Committee Referrals
Children and Families3/11/2026
Full Bill Text
No bill text available