The House Judiciary Committee heard HB 1169 authored by Rep. Schaibley on sibling groups in family reunification plans. The bill requires courts to consider whether a child’s reunification with a parent, guardian, or custodian will result in separation of the child from a sibling and whether that separation from the sibling is in the child’s best interest.
Foster parents and Champions for Children testified in support of the bill. The Indiana Public Defender Council and Indiana Judges Association were neutral on the bill. No one testified against. The bill passed 12-0.
Read the bill at https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2023/bills/house/1169.