Bill to strengthen foster‑child rights advances to House committee hearing; lawmakers emphasize sibling contact and court access

Senate Bill 1533‑A, which the Senate passed on a 30‑vote floor vote, was presented Tuesday to the House Committee on Early Childhood and Human Services as a measure to bolster rights for youth in foster care.

Sen. Sarah Gelser Blouin, sponsor and Senate Human Services chair, urged lawmakers to preserve sibling relationships and youth participation in court. "This makes clear that an agency, a foster parent cannot limit the communication and the relationship between siblings unless the court has found that that relationship should be limited and provide some written findings about what those are and why," she said.

The bill clarifies that children in foster care are parties to their cases and should have access to court processes, transportation and legal representation. Gelser Blouin also emphasized protections for personal possessions and reasonable access to cell phones and other devices, saying youth should not be left without sentimental or practical items when they enter care.

She noted that the bill removes some language that previously extended the statutory "child in care" definition to other contexts and expressed concern that narrowing definitions could unintentionally leave some children without statutory protections or notification rights; she urged continued work on that point.

Committee members asked about foster‑parent pay and implementation; Gelser Blouin said foster‑provider compensation remains inadequate and that the Senate Human Services Committee is continuing related work. The hearing closed without a committee vote and the chair adjourned.