The New Jersey State Bar Association supports A-1357 (Mosquera)/S-1034 (Vitale) which establishes the New Jersey Siblings’ Bill of Rights, as amended.
The association supports this bill as amended because it recognizes that the ability of siblings to share their views with the court about an appropriate placement plan for their siblings. Further, it puts them on the same footing as resource parents, who enjoy the right not only to be notified of permanency hearings, but who are also afforded a right to be heard in court. The opportunity of a sibling to participate in the permanency planning decisions of the other members of their family and to tell the court directly what the sibling’s wishes are will ensure better clarity of the child’s position on the permanency plan or other issues, and help to meet the goal of maintaining sibling relationships if appropriate and possible.
For the reasons set forth above, the New Jersey State Bar Association supports A-1357/S-1034 and urges you to vote yes to this proposed legislation.