A. When two or more children in foster care are siblings, every reasonable attempt should be made to place them in the same home, except as provided in subsection B of this section. In making a permanent placement, such children should be placed in the same permanent home or, if the siblings are separated, should be allowed contact or visitation with other siblings; provided, however, the best interests of each sibling shall be the standard for determining whether they should be placed in the same foster placement or permanent placement, or allowed contact or visitation with other siblings.
B. Siblings may be separated if the court and the Department of Human Services find that placement of siblings together would be contrary to the safety or well-being of any of the siblings, and:
1. One sibling has resided in a foster family home for six (6) or more months and has established a relationship with the foster family;
2. The siblings have never resided in the same home;
3. There is no established relationship between the siblings; or
4. It is in the best interests of the child to remain in the current foster family home placement.
Added by Laws 2009, c. 233, § 134, emerg. eff. May 21, 2009. Amended by Laws 2016, c. 245, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2016; Laws 2017, c. 342, § 4, eff. Nov. 1, 2017.