For amend and vote only, upon recommitment, the Senate Appropriations Committee heard HB 1493 on elimination of costs and fees in juvenile court sponsored by Sen. Crider and Sen. Ford and authored by Rep. McNamara. The bill provides:
- 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 (DOC) 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.
- Removal of 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.
- The alternative dispute resolution fund (fund) can be used for guardian ad litem services.
- 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.
The bill passed 12-0.
Read the bill at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2023/bills/house/1493