Foster Care Bill of Rights advanced to third reading after broad bipartisan floor debate

Senators on Thursday moved Bill 139-38 COR, the Foster Care Bill of Rights Act of 2025, into the third-reading file after extensive floor discussion and multiple cosponsor endorsements.

The bill, sponsored and presented by Senator Shelley V. Calvo, would add new sections to Article 3, Chapter 13, Title 19 of the Guam Code Annotated to codify enforceable rights for children in foster care and for foster parents. The sponsor said the measure enshrines protections including access to health and education services, notice of hearings, access to records for caregivers, privacy protections and anti-discrimination guarantees. Senator Calvo said the codification would also help Guam pursue additional grants and supports for foster youth.

Floor supporters cited testimony from national advocates and local officials. The transcript records references to attorney Carol Hinkle Sanchez, the attorney general of Guam Douglas Moylan, and input from the Department of Public Health and Social Services and other national organizations; the sponsor said stakeholders’ input informed the bill and that family court remedies would be available to adjudicate grievances under the new rights.

During debate some senators raised two specific concerns recorded in the DPHSS written testimony: one asking that a section granting foster children the right to make and receive confidential telephone calls and unopened mail be struck because communications are monitored and reviewed in case-specific circumstances, and another asking that a provision giving foster children the right to be disciplined “in a manner appropriate to the child's level of maturity” be clarified because it could be vague. Senator Calvo responded on the floor that she is open to tightening language and amendments, and that the committee incorporated many stakeholder recommendations during markup.

Supporters stressed the scale of the local foster system cited on the floor: references included 697 foster children, 96 licensed foster parents and 216 placements with relatives. Several senators urged that codifying rights will improve stability and encourage recruitment of foster families. The motion to place the bill into the third-reading file was made by the sponsor and debate followed; the transcript shows the bill advanced to third reading for further consideration and scheduling of final action.

Next steps: the bill will be scheduled from the third-reading file for a recorded final vote; sponsors indicated willingness to accept clarifying amendments before final passage.