SB79

An Act To Amend Title 13 Of The Delaware Code Relating To Termination Of Parental Rights And Adoption Proceedings.

Introduced·5/13/25

SB79 amends Delaware law to provide free legal counsel to relatives seeking to terminate parental rights for adoption.

SB79 amends Title 13 of the Delaware Code to ensure relatives of a child who have guardianship can receive free legal counsel throughout termination of parental rights and adoption proceedings. The bill specifies that if a petitioner is a relative of the child and has guardianship, they have the right to free legal representation at all stages of these proceedings. The Department of Services for Children, Youth, and Their Families must prepare and file a social report at no cost to the petitioner if they are represented by such counsel.

Included in complete analysis

  • Overview
  • Core Provisions
  • Implementation
  • Impact
  • Legal Framework
  • Critical Issues

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Where it stands

Current
Finance Committee
Next
Committee decision

Sponsors

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4
9
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Democratic CaucusRepublican Caucus

Calendar

Apr 16, 2025

2:00 PM

Judiciary

History

May 13, 2025

Senate

Adopted in lieu of the original bill SB 79, and Assigned to Finance Committee in Senate