S.E.A. 171, P.L. 116-2026
Effective: March 5, 2026
- Requires the local office of the department of child services to provide notice of an adoption petition to the court in which a CHINS proceeding is open or pending.
- Provides that the consent to adoption may be executed or acknowledged at any time after the birth of the child in the presence of an attorney, in person, or by video conferencing.
- Provides that a court may grant postadoption contact privileges if the child is at least 12 months of age. (Current law requires the child to be at least two years of age.)
- Provides certain exceptions to confidentiality requirements.
Read the bill at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/senate/171/