The Senate Family & Children Services Committee heard HB 1493 on elimination of costs and fees in juvenile court sponsored by Sen. Crider and authored by Rep. McNamara. This bill provides that:
- A parent is presumed indigent for purposes of parental payment or reimbursement for services provided by the Department of Child Services to a child adjudicated delinquent or a child in need of services.
- When the Department of Correction is awarded wardship of a child, the juvenile court may not order a parent to pay or reimburse the department unless the juvenile court makes a specific finding that the parent is able to pay.
- Removes fees and costs associated with a child alleged to be a delinquent child from the supplemental public defender services fund and the public defense administration fee.
- Allows the alternative dispute resolution fund (fund) to be used for guardian ad litem services.
- Requires the court to determine whether, when a party is charged or convicted with a crime against the person, participation in services provided by the fund poses an unreasonable risk of harm.
Indiana Public Defender Council, Stand for Children, ACLU, and several people telling their personal stories testified in favor of the bill. Court of Appeals Judge Elizabeth Tavitas, as chair of the Family Law Taskforce, and Leslie Dunn, IOCS Family & Childrens Deputy Director, testified in favor of the provision allowing the ADR fund to be used for guardian ad litem services.
The bill passed 6-0 and was recommitted to Appropriations.
Read the bill at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2023/bills/house/1493