The House Family, Children and Human Affairs Committee heard HB 1271, child abuse or neglect allegations in military families, authored by Rep. Zent. This bill requires the Department of Child Services (DCS) to notify the U.S. Department of Defense Family Advocacy Program (DOD) if a child of an active duty member of the military is the subject of an assessment regarding an allegation of abuse or neglect. It also requires DCS to make the assessment report available to DOD upon request.
The bill was amended by consent to only report substantiated investigations. A representative from DCS testified in support of the amended bill. The amended bill passed, 11-0.
Read the bill at https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2016/bills/house/1271