The Senate Civil Law Committee heard Sen. Delph’s SB 374 on petitions for educational support. Sen. Delph explained that the bill authorizes a court to issue an educational support order until a child becomes 23 years of age. A constituent explained that when her husband filed for divorce their child was then over age 19 and accordingly was not eligible under current law to receive e … [Read more...] about Petitions for educational support
Family
Abortion, child abuse, and sexual trafficking
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard Sen. Houchin’s SB 404 on abortion, child abuse, and sexual trafficking. This bill provides: Certain information must be provided by the parent or legal guardian of an unemancipated pregnant woman when giving written consent for the unemancipated pregnant woman to have an abortion. A parent or legal guardian of a pregnant minor is an interested … [Read more...] about Abortion, child abuse, and sexual trafficking
Notice of adoption to grandparents
The House Judiciary Committee reheard Rep. Karickhoff’s HB 1245 on notice of adoption to grandparents. The bill provides that a grandparent of a child sought to be adopted is entitled to notice of pending adoption proceedings. The bill was amended by consent to clarify that grandparents with existing rights to petition for visitation under IC 31-17-5 are provided notice of the pe … [Read more...] about Notice of adoption to grandparents
Grandparent and great-grandparent visitation
The Senate Civil Law Committee heard Sen. Randolph’s and Sen. Zay’s SB 27 allowing grandparent and great-grandparent visitation in certain circumstances. This bill allows a grandparent or great-grandparent to seek visitation if the grandparent or great-grandparent has had meaningful contact with the child but, as a result of an estrangement between the parent of the child and the gra … [Read more...] about Grandparent and great-grandparent visitation
Child neglect defense
The Senate Family and Children Services Committee heard Sen. Holdman’s and Sen. Head’s SB 246 providing an additional child neglect defense to an emergency medical provider who took custody of a child under Indiana’s Save Haven law. The bill was held by the author after lengthy discussion on an amendment permitting the use of baby boxes in hospitals. A baby box is used for the safe … [Read more...] about Child neglect defense