New bill in Oregon aims to guarantee foster kids the right to see their siblings

Oregon lawmakers have passed a bill aimed at guaranteeing the right for foster kids in the state to maintain communication with their siblings. The need for this legislation stems from the understanding that siblings placed in foster care benefit greatly from staying connected, as it can positively impact their mental and emotional well-being. One individual, Riley Thomas, shared her heartbreaking experience of losing contact with her biological brother after entering foster care, resulting in missing important milestones in his life.

The revised Foster Children’s Bill of Rights is an important framework first established in 2013 and has now been updated to explicitly grant children in foster care the right to communicate with their siblings. Senator Sara Gelser Blouin, who spearheaded Senate Bill 1533, emphasized the essential nature of this right, ensuring that no one can deem it emotionally inappropriate or inconvenient for children to stay connected with their siblings.

The Oregon Department of Human Services, responsible for overseeing the child welfare system in the state, is tasked with caring for various vulnerable populations, including approximately 4,580 kids under its care. As the system aims to improve, a neutral expert, Kevin Ryan, is monitoring its progress through a class-action lawsuit to enhance the foster care experience.

While foster children are currently supposed to have access to their siblings when appropriate, issues arise in determining what is deemed appropriate and justifying denials of access. Therefore, the recent bill reinforces these rights, mandating that a court must decide and provide written explanations for situations where contact is denied. This legislation aims to make the foster care system more transparent and accountable, ensuring that children’s rights, including attending their own court hearings, are upheld.

Despite a similar bill being passed in the 2025 session with bipartisan support, it was vetoed by Governor Tina Kotek due to being overly prescriptive. The current bill in 2026 has been modified to exclude contentious elements, such as expanding the definition of “child in care” to include those outside traditional foster homes.

The emphasis on guaranteeing foster kids the right to maintain relationships with their siblings is a significant step towards improving the well-being of children in the state’s care. By solidifying these rights in law, Oregon lawmakers aim to create a more compassionate and supportive foster care system that prioritizes the needs and emotional connections of children separated from their families.