The Senate Family and Children Services Committee heard HB 1310 authored by Rep. Lauer and sponsored by Sen. Walker and Sen. Johnson 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 permanency plan must include at least one intended permanent or long-term arrangement for care and custody of the child other than reunification.
- concurrent planning must be implemented 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 permanency hearing.
- the Department of Child Services 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.
Champions for Children and a foster parent testified in support of the bill. The bill passed 8-0.
Read the bill at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2024/bills/house/1310