(a) For purposes of this section, “Youth Advisory Board” means a board established by each Department of Children and Families regional office that is comprised of youth in out-of-home care.
(b) The Commissioner of Children and Families shall meet with the members of each Youth Advisory Board to gather recommendations for and to draft a “Sibling Bill of Rights”, which may include, but not be limited to, ways to protect the relationships of siblings separated as a result of said commissioner's intervention and an affirmation by the department of its commitment to preserve the relationships between siblings who have been separated from each other while under department care. On or before October 1, 2013, the commissioner and members of the Youth Advisory Boards shall submit the Sibling Bill of Rights to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to children for consideration of possible legislative action.
(c) The Commissioner of Children and Families shall incorporate the final version of the Sibling Bill of Rights into department policy and share such policy with each child placed in the care and custody of the commissioner pursuant to an order of temporary custody or an order of commitment.
(P.A. 12-71, S. 2; P.A. 16-28, S. 4.)
History: P.A. 12-71 effective June 6, 2012; P.A. 16-28 amended Subsec. (b) by making a technical change, effective May 17, 2016.