WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 79

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 13 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS AND ADOPTION PROCEEDINGS.

153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Introduced by Frank Cooke and 11 co-sponsors

SB 79 updates Delaware's parental rights termination and adoption laws to modernize family court procedures, with effects on child welfare, permanency timelines, and parental protections.

Adopted in lieu of the original bill SB 79, and Assigned to Finance Committee in Senate
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 79

Legislative bill overview

SB 79 amends Delaware's Title 13 statutes governing the termination of parental rights and adoption procedures. The bill modernizes procedural requirements and standards for family court proceedings involving custody transitions and permanent removal of parental rights. Specific substantive changes are not detailed in the provided information, but the amendment addresses existing statutory frameworks for these sensitive family law matters.

Why is this important

Parental rights termination and adoption proceedings directly affect vulnerable children and families, making procedural clarity and fairness essential. Changes to these statutes can impact timelines for permanency, evidentiary standards, court processes, and the rights of biological parents, adoptive parents, and children in foster care systems. Delaware's family court system handles hundreds of such cases annually, so statutory updates can have broad implications for child welfare outcomes.

Potential points of contention

  • Due process concerns: Any changes to evidence standards or procedural protections for parents facing rights termination may trigger debates about balancing parental rights against child safety and welfare
  • Adoption access and costs: Amendments could affect adoption fees, waiting periods, or eligibility requirements, creating tension between making adoption more accessible and maintaining safeguards
  • Foster care system capacity: Changes to termination timelines or procedures could accelerate or delay permanent placements, affecting already-strained foster care infrastructure and social services budgets

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

Sign in to ask a question.