On January 10, 2025, Senator Dave Wilson and Representative Valerie Jones Giltner introduced Senate Bill 37 (SB 37), a proposal aimed at ensuring legal counsel for relatives seeking to adopt children within their families after parental rights have been terminated. This legislation targets grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and step-relatives, helping them navigate the adoption process when a child is in the custody of the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth, and Their Families.
The bill aims to keep families together, reduce state costs, and ensure eligible relatives have free legal representation throughout the adoption process. As Senator Wilson emphasized, “No family member should be deterred from stepping up simply due to the cost of legal representation.”
Representative Jones Giltner highlighted the bill as a common-sense measure that prioritizes the well-being of Delaware’s children, making it easier for them to find permanent homes with relatives they know and trust. SB 37 has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee for review.
This bill seeks to address gaps in current adoption laws, offering relatives equitable access to legal support while keeping children within the family unit.
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