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Bill

HB 714

An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in child custody, providing for sibling visitation rights.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Amen Brown and 4 co-sponsors

Pennsylvania bill establishing court-enforceable sibling visitation rights in child custody cases to maintain family bonds when children live separately.

Referred to Judiciary
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 714

Legislative bill overview

HB 714 amends Pennsylvania's domestic relations law to establish legal sibling visitation rights in child custody cases. The bill creates a framework allowing siblings to maintain court-ordered visitation even when separated by custody arrangements between different parents or guardians.

Why is this important

When children are placed in separate custody situations (common in blended families, foster care, or contested custody cases), siblings can lose contact without legal protections. This bill addresses that gap by giving courts authority to mandate sibling visitation, recognizing research showing sibling relationships provide emotional stability and continuity for children during family transitions.

Potential points of contention

  • Parental authority vs. court intervention: Some argue this expands judicial override of parental decisions about which relatives children visit, potentially limiting parental discretion in custody arrangements
  • Enforcement and logistics: Critics may question how courts would enforce visitation between siblings in different households and whether it creates unrealistic transportation/scheduling burdens
  • Defining "sibling" relationships: The bill may need clarification on which relationships qualify (half-siblings, step-siblings, adoptive siblings) and whether it applies to adult siblings or only minor children

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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