The Senate Family & Children Services Committee heard HB 1271, sponsored by Sen. Banks, on child abuse or neglect allegations in military families. Author Rep. Zent presented his bill that requires DCS to notify the United States Department of Defense Family Advocacy Program if a child of an active duty member of the military is the subject of a substantiated investigation of abuse or neglect. It also requires DCS to make the assessment report available to the program upon request and allows DCS to seek assistance of the program in providing services. This bill is substantially similar to SB 159.
Representatives from DCS and Military Veterans Coalition of Indiana testified in favor of the bill. The bill passed 6-0.
Read the bill at https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2016/bills/house/1271