This bill seeks to amend West Virginia's Code by adding provisions to ensure that meaningful contact between a child and their step-siblings is considered in determining the child's best interests. Specifically, it modifies Section 48-9-102, which outlines the objectives related to custodial responsibility and decision-making for children. The new language inserted into the law emphasizes the importance of maintaining relationships not only with siblings but also with step-siblings, thereby broadening the scope of familial connections that are deemed significant for a child's well-being.

The bill retains the existing objectives aimed at promoting stability, continuity of attachments, and security for the child while introducing the additional factor of step-sibling relationships. This change reflects a growing recognition of the role that step-siblings can play in a child's life and aims to ensure that these relationships are nurtured and maintained in custody arrangements. Overall, the bill underscores the importance of comprehensive family dynamics in the context of child custody and care.