Pennsylvania House Bill HB714

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/24/25
• Refer: 2/24/25

Caption

In child custody, providing for sibling visitation rights.

Summary

HB714 would amend Pennsylvania’s Domestic Relations Title to create a new section authorizing courts to award “reasonable visitation” between siblings when a petition is filed. The bill allows a sibling, or a parent/legal guardian acting for a minor sibling, to ask the court for visitation with a child sibling. In deciding whether to grant visitation, the court must consider the child’s best interests, whether the petitioner is fit and proper, whether the petitioner recently tried but was prevented from visiting, whether there is another way to maintain contact without court involvement, and whether the custodial person’s refusal is unreasonable by clear and convincing evidence. The bill defines “sibling” broadly to include brothers, sisters, half-siblings, and step-siblings. It also defines “visitation” narrowly as the right to visit or spend time with the child, and expressly excludes any form of physical custody, including partial, primary, shared, sole, or supervised custody. The act would take effect 60 days after enactment.

Impact

HB714 would add a new sibling-visitation remedy to Pennsylvania custody law in Title 23, giving courts explicit authority to consider and order sibling contact in appropriate cases. It would not change existing custody standing rules or custody awards generally, and the bill states that it should not be construed to affect rights regarding standing or custody under the chapter. The practical effect would be to create a new avenue for siblings to seek court-ordered visitation when access to a child sibling has been blocked by the person with physical custody.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials, the overall sentiment appears to be supportive or at least straightforwardly remedial. The proposal is framed as a child-custody measure aimed at preserving sibling relationships, with a best-interests standard and a high evidentiary threshold that suggests an effort to limit court intervention to appropriate cases. No recorded opposition, amendments, or roll-call votes are included in the materials provided.

Contention

The main potential points of contention are the scope of court involvement in family matters and the standard a petitioner must meet to obtain visitation. Supporters are likely to emphasize the importance of preserving sibling bonds, especially in separated or disrupted families, while opponents may worry about increased litigation, intrusion into parental or custodial discretion, and the possibility of conflict with existing custody arrangements. The bill addresses some of those concerns by limiting relief to visitation only, excluding custody rights, and requiring clear and convincing evidence that denial of contact is unreasonable.