The House Family, Children, and Human Affairs Committee heard HB 1099 on safe haven infants and foster youth, authored by Rep. DeVon and Rep. K. Pierce. The bill provides that the maximum age for a safe haven infant is 60 days of age, repeals the definition of "abandoned child", amends the definition of "foster youth", and makes conforming changes. The Indiana Association for … [Read more...] about Safe haven infants and foster youth
child exploitation
Department of Child Services matters
H.E.A. 1363, P.L. 172 Effective: July 1, 2022 Provides that a person who knowingly or intentionally produces, disseminates, or possesses with intent to disseminate an image that depicts or describes sexual conduct: (1) by a child who the person knows is less than 18 years of age; (2) by a child or a person who appears to be a child, if the image is obscene; or (3) that is … [Read more...] about Department of Child Services matters
Various Department of Child Services changes
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard HB 1363 concerning various Department of Child Services (DCS) changes sponsored by Sens. Walker and Koch. Rep. Young presented the bill, which removes the filing requirement for a verified parental participation petition before the juvenile court can proceed to disposition, makes certain changes regarding DCS changing a child's out-of-home … [Read more...] about Various Department of Child Services changes
Child exploitation and child pornography
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard HB 1191 on child exploitation and child pornography authored by Rep. Karickhoff. The bill provides that a person who knowingly or intentionally produces, disseminates, or possesses with intent to disseminate an image that depicts or describes sexual conduct: (1) by a child who the person knows is less than 18 … [Read more...] about Child exploitation and child pornography
Sentencing
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 133 concerning sentencing authored by Sen. Freeman and Sen. Sandlin. The bill enhances the penalty for child exploitation and child pornography if the person has a previous conviction. The bill provides that a court may suspend only that part of a sentence that is in excess of the minimum sentence for a person convicted of a … [Read more...] about Sentencing