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HB 1327

Fictive kin; definition.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Anne Ferrell Tata

HB 1327 expands Virginia child dependency court procedures to include relatives and fictive kin, potentially affecting placement options and family involvement in child welfare cases.

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0298)
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Bill Summary · HB 1327

Legislative bill overview

HB 1327 modifies Virginia's court procedures for child dependency cases, with specific attention to how relatives and "fictive kin" (non-related individuals with significant family-like relationships) are treated in the legal process. The bill appears to expand or clarify the role these individuals can play in dependency proceedings, potentially affecting custody considerations, notification requirements, or placement options.

Why is this important

Child dependency cases involve state intervention when children are at risk, and the procedures used determine outcomes affecting family separation, reunification efforts, and child welfare. Expanding recognition of fictive kin relationships could provide children with placement alternatives to foster care and acknowledge modern family structures beyond biological or legal relationships, while also potentially complicating court processes if procedures aren't clearly defined.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition and legal standing of fictive kin: Establishing clear criteria for who qualifies as "fictive kin" and what legal rights they have in proceedings could be contentious, as it may conflict with biological relatives' traditional priority in custody matters
  • Due process and notification concerns: Expanding who must be notified or can participate in dependency cases may slow proceedings or create procedural conflicts if requirements aren't precisely specified
  • Resource implications: Considering additional family members or fictive kin could increase court workload and social services assessments, raising questions about funding and implementation capacity

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

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