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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>70505</law_id><section_number>63.2-900.2</section_number><catch_line>Placement of sibling groups; visitation</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="63.2">Welfare (Social Services)</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="III">Social Services Programs</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="9">Foster Care</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="1">General Provisions</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>All reasonable steps shall be taken to place <span class="dictionary">siblings</span> entrusted to the care of a <span class="dictionary">local board</span> or licensed <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">child</span>-placing agency</span>, committed to the care of a <span class="dictionary">local board</span> or agency by any <span class="dictionary">court</span> of competent <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span>, or placed with a <span class="dictionary">local board</span> or public agency through an agreement between a <span class="dictionary">local board</span> or a public agency and the parent, parents, or guardians, where legal <span class="dictionary">custody</span> remains with the parent, parents, or guardian, together in the same <span class="dictionary">foster home</span>.
		Where <span class="dictionary">siblings</span> are placed in separate <span class="dictionary">foster homes</span>, the <span class="dictionary">local department</span>, <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">child</span>-placing agency</span>, or public agency shall develop a plan to encourage frequent and regular visitation or communication between the <span class="dictionary">siblings</span>. The visitation or communication plan shall take into account the wishes of the <span class="dictionary">child</span>, and shall specify the frequency of visitation or communication, identify the <span class="dictionary">party</span> responsible for encouraging that visits or communication occur, and state any other requirements or restrictions related to such visitation or communication as may be determined necessary by the <span class="dictionary">local department</span>, <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">child</span>-placing agency</span>, or public agency.</p></section></text><history>2008, c. 397.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
