The court shall, whenever reasonable and practical, and based on a determination of the best interests of the child, ensure that children who have an existing relationship with a sibling and who are separated from their siblings as a result of a court decree, court order, consent order, or court-recommended placement, including but not limited to, placement in foster homes, or in the homes of parents or extended family members, have access to and visitation rights with such siblings throughout the duration of such placement, and subsequent to such placement if the children or their siblings are separated by long-term or short-term foster care placement.
Source. 1998, 203:2, eff. June 18, 1998.