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House panel considers new process for reinstating parental rights

Rep. Rick Krajewski    November 18, 2025

HARRISBURG, Nov. 18  –  Today, the House Children and Youth Committee held a public hearing to consider House Bill 133, bipartisan legislation introduced by state Reps. Rick Krajewski, D-Phila., and Sheryl Delozier, R-Cumberland, to establish a legal petition process to reinstate parental rights.   

Krajewski said 25 other states already have enacted legislation creating a petition process for the reinstatement of parental rights. But in Pennsylvania, parental rights termination is permanent.   

To reunite rehabilitated parents with their children, administrators and providers cobble together custody and adoption laws not intended for biological parents, which can be burdensome and slow.   

“Administrators, parents, children, and advocates all understand the need for there to be a standard procedure here. No child should spend another night languishing in foster care because of bureaucracy and outdated laws,” Krajewski said. “Families deserve a fair chance to be reunited, and kids deserve to finally go home.”   

Advocates at the hearing stressed that many parents lose custody of their children because of factors that may be resolved over time, like addiction, poverty or incarceration. Strict federal timelines require the state to file for termination of the rights, even when caseworkers believe the parent may be rehabilitated.   

“House Bill 133 addresses a deeply human issue at the intersection of family and the best interests of children,” said Delozier. “This legislation isn’t about undoing the past. It’s about recognizing that people can change. Sometimes, the best place for a child is with a parent who has worked hard to rebuild their life. I’m grateful the House Children and Youth Committee was willing to hold a hearing on this legislation, and to champion second chances alongside Rep. Krajewski. This bill could be truly transformative for children who are still in the foster care system and are seeking permanent stability. It’s not about disrupting adoptive families; it’s about re-establishing key relationships.”  

Those testifying in support of the legislation included:   

  • Marisa McClellan, attorney at Tucker Arensberg and former administrator at Dauphin County Children and Youth.   
  • April Lee, co-founder of Philly Voices for Change. 
  • Marcia Hopkins, child advocate at the Support Center for Child Advocates.
  • Sarah Katz, clinical professor of law at Temple University.   

“By creating a legal pathway for reinstatement of parental rights, Pennsylvania has an opportunity to restore hope, reunite families, and recognize the power of change,” said Sarah Katz, clinical professor of law at Template University.  

“The families are ready - they just need the law to catch up.”