H.E.A. 1340, P.L. 77
Effective: §6 effective April 20, 2023; July 1, 2023
- Defines “Indian child” for purposes of family and juvenile law.
- Provides that certain records relating to foster care children may be maintained in an electronic format.
- Adds IC 31-28-0.5, §6 of the act to define electronic records.
- Provides that certain individuals may request a child’s Social Security number for income tax purposes.
- Requires the Department of Child Services (DCS) to: (1) develop a form an individual may submit to request a child’s Social Security number; and (2) approve or deny a request for a child’s Social Security number not later than 10 business days after receiving the request.
- Requires the DCS to approve an individual’s request for a child’s Social Security number if: (1) the child lived with the individual in the 18 months preceding the request; and (2) the child lived with the individual for: (A) at least six months in any one calendar year; or (B) more than 1/2 of the days the child lived during a calendar year if the child was born or died in the calendar year; unless the child does not have a Social Security number or the DCS does not have a record of the child’s Social Security number. If the DCS denies the request, DCS must include the reason for the denial.
- Provides that certain information, documents, reports, pictures, videos, images, or recordings related to DCS matters are confidential.
- Requires that information which is otherwise confidential must be made available to: (1) a tribal representative, agency, or organization authorized by an Indian child’s tribe to care for, diagnose, treat, review, evaluate, or monitor active efforts regarding the 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.
- Provides that the DCS: (1) may; and (2) under specified circumstances, shall; notify a child care worker’s employer of a substantiated report of child abuse or neglect made against the child care worker. Defines child care worker.
Read the bill at https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2023/bills/house/1340