Important News & Notices
4/9/26 - Senate Bill 1533
SB 1533 Bill Overview:
Section 1: Creates a new provision allowing the court to limit or prohibit contact between a foster child and their sibling to the extent necessary to ensure safe and appropriate contact. The bill requires the court to make written findings of fact when limiting or prohibiting contact.
Section 2: Amends ORS 418.200 to update the definition of foster child to add a child who is awaiting placement in substitute care.
Section 3: Amends ORS 418.201 to update the foster children's bill of rights and add additional provisions, including but not limited to the following rights: to attend hearings without regard to whether the hearings are appropriate based on age and development; to be protected from abuse and exploitation; to regularly attend school; to have an attorney or court-appointed advocate present for interviews with law enforcement; and to have access to the Residential Facilities Ombudsman, the Children's Advocate, or a foster care ombudsman.
Section 4: Amends ORS 418.607 to update the foster sibling's bill of rights to:
•Add that siblings shall have “regular" contact, including “in-person visits." See subsection (2). Under current law, there is no requirement that contact be regular or that visits be in person. Section 5 also references Section 1, to clarify that in-person regular visits may only be limited or denied by court order.
•Add that visitation shall be maintained, encouraged, and facilitated unless limited or denied by court order. See subsection (5). Under current law, contact with siblings is only required to be encouraged. This includes siblings in adoptive or guardianship placements.
•Provide for “private and unrestricted" communication with siblings except as limited or prohibited by court order. See subsection (7).
•Add that siblings shall be notified of the birth of a sibling in a developmentally appropriate and trauma-responsive manner. See subsection (8).
•Add a requirement that foster siblings be informed in a developmentally appropriate and trauma-responsive manner about the right to have contact and visitation with siblings, and that it may not be denied or limited without written findings by the court. Additionally, provides right for child to be informed if communication or visitation with a sibling is denied. See subsection (10).
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