H.B. No. 448 - Sibling Visitation and Placement Rights

• Defines sibling relationships to include biological siblings, adoptive siblings, and those raised together as siblings, and establishes sibling visitation rights when children are in custody or adoption proceedings

• Requires courts and agencies to make reasonable efforts to place siblings together unless contrary to their best interest, and to ensure siblings maintain frequent contact through visitation or ongoing interaction if separated

• Preserves sibling relationships beyond adoption by prohibiting adoption decrees from terminating sibling visitation rights and establishing that parental rights termination does not sever sibling relationships

• Creates a formal court process allowing siblings to petition for visitation rights and establishing specific factors courts must consider when determining visitation arrangements, including relationship quality, health/safety, and time since last contact

• Applies sibling visitation provisions to temporary custody, permanent custody, and adoption proceedings under juvenile court jurisdiction