The Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB 402 on termination of parental rights authored by Sen. Becker. The bill provides the following: requires the Department of Child Services (Department) to file a petition for termination of parental rights if a child's parent, guardian, or custodian accumulates a total of three instances of certain acts or omissions. adds to the list of … [Read more...] about Termination of parental rights
Family
Information for prospective adoptive parent
The House Family, Children and Human Affairs Committee heard HB 1091 on information for prospective adoptive parent, authored by Rep. Burton. The bill was amended by consent to delete the contents of the original bill and insert a requirement that the licensed child placing agency or local office that will conduct an inspection and submit a report to the court concerning a petition … [Read more...] about Information for prospective adoptive parent
Profiting from an adoption
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB 5 on profiting from an adoption, authored by Sen. Zakas. The bill adds an exemption for the transfer or receipt of reasonable charges and fees for adoption services provided by an attorney licensed in Indiana from a profiting from an adoption offense. Attorney Steve Kirsch testified in support of the bill. The committee adopted a technical a … [Read more...] about Profiting from an adoption
Change of placement of a child in need of services
The Senate Family and Children Services Committee heard an amendment to SB 128 authored by Sen. Head on change of placement of a child in need of services (CHINS). At last week’s meeting, DCS testified against the bill, explaining that typically the Child and Family Team Meeting involves all parties, including foster parents, and that is when there is an opportunity for their voice t … [Read more...] about Change of placement of a child in need of services
Court Appointed Child Advocate immunity
The Senate Committee on Civil Law heard SB 130 authored by Sen. Bohacek on court appointed child advocate (CASA) immunity. The bill provides immunity from civil and criminal liability for a guardian ad litem program, a CASA program, and an employee, contract employee, or volunteer for a guardian ad litem program or court appointed special advocate program when a child is placed on a … [Read more...] about Court Appointed Child Advocate immunity