The House Family, Children and Human Affairs Committee heard HB 1310 authored by Rep. Lauer on children in need of services. The bill provides that if a child has been removed from the child’s parent for at least 12 of the most recent 22 months at the time of a periodic case review, the child’s case plan must include at least one intended permanent or long term arrangement for care and custody of the child other than reunification. The bill also provides that the department may not take adverse action against a foster parent’s license; or remove a child from the home of a foster parent, relative of the child, or de facto custodian; on the basis of the foster parent, relative, or de facto custodian filing a notice with the court that a petition to terminate the parent-child relationship is required to be filed, but has not yet been filed.
The bill was amended by consent to replace “case” with “permanency” and “review” with “review or permanency hearing.” Champions for Children and two foster parents testified in support of the bill. The amended bill passed 13-0.
Read the bill at https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2024/bills/house/1310