House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024 Regular Session

Posted:	October 16, 2023 12:17 PM
From:	Representative Parke Wentling
To:	All House members
Subject:	Sibling Visitation Rights

In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation that will establish visitation rights for siblings under Pennsylvania’s Child Custody statute. Circumstances may arise where siblings, for various reasons and through no fault of their own, are separated in custody disputes. It is well established that siblings having contact and visiting each other can provide natural support and bring a sense of stability and belonging to one another. However, under current Federal and Pennsylvania law siblings do not have rights to visitation. My legislation would change that by amending Title 23 to permit a sibling themselves or through a guardian to file a petition for visitation. A court after evaluating various factors, including the best interests of the child, could award the sibling reasonable visitation with their sibling. Under this bill, sibling would include a brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, stepbrother, or stepsister. Visitation is defined as the right to visit or otherwise spend time with a child who is a sibling. Importantly, nothing in this legislation will impact a custody determination. Several other states, including New Jersey and Rhode Island, already have sibling visitation statutes. Pennsylvania should continue this trend. Please consider joining me as a co-sponsor of this important legislation. Sincerely, Parke Wentling State Representative 7th Legislative District (Please click the link below to view the legislation)
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