Legislative Update

Department of Child Services

Filed Under: Juvenile

The Senate Family & Children Services heard HB 1340 on Department of Child Services sponsored by Sen. Greg Walker and Sen.Donato and authored by Rep. DeVon. This bill provides:

  • A definition “Indian child” for purposes of family and juvenile law provisions.
  • Certain records relating to foster care children may be maintained in electronic format.
  • Certain individuals may request a child’s Social Security number for income tax purposes.
  • Department of Child Services (DCS) to develop forms for use by individuals to request a child’s Social Security number and approve or deny a request not later than 10 business days after receiving the request.
  • DCS to approve a request if: (1) the child lived with the individual making the request in the 18 months preceding the request; and (2) the child lived with the individual making the request for: (A) at least six months in any one calendar year; or (B) more than 1/2 of the days the child lived in the calendar year if the child was born or died in the calendar year.
  • DCS to deny a request if: (1) the child does not have a Social Security number; (2) the department does not have a record of the child’s Social Security number; or (3) certain conditions related to the foster care time frame are not met.
  • Certain information, documents, reports, pictures, videos, images, or recordings related to DCS matters are confidential.
  • Otherwise confidential information must be made available to: (1) a tribal representative, agency, or organization authorized by the Indian child’s tribe to care for, diagnose, treat, review, evaluate, or monitor active efforts regarding an Indian child, and the Indian child’s parent, guardian, or custodian; and (2) the United States Department of State and foreign governments to comply with federal law and treaties.
  • DCS can notify a childcare worker’s employer of a substantiated report against the childcare worker.
  • DCS must notify a childcare worker’s employer in certain circumstances.            

The bill was amended to add provisions about the prescription of psychotropic medication

at a child caring institution or group home. Representatives from DCS and Indiana Association of Resources and Child Advocacy testified in favor of the bill. The amended bill passed 7-0.

Read the bill at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2023/bills/house/1340