The House Family, Children, and Human Affairs Committee heard SB 423 sponsored by Rep. Steuerwald and Rep. Cook creating a court appointed youth advocate pilot program. This bill provides that the Office of Judicial Administration may establish a youth advocate pilot program (pilot program) until July 1, 2021, for purposes of providing early intervention and mentoring services for … [Read more...] about Court appointed youth advocate pilot program
children
Victims of criminal acts
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 551 sponsored by Rep. McNamara on victims of criminal acts. This bill: provides that a new registration period may be imposed if a sex or violent offender fails to register or improperly registers as a sex or violent offender prohibits records held by the department of child services to be disclosed to any person who requests … [Read more...] about Victims of criminal acts
Children’s Commission report and DCS human trafficking coordinator
The Senate Committee on Family and Children Services heard HB 1075 sponsored by Senator Houchin regarding Children’s Commission report and DCS human trafficking coordinator. The bill modifies the date for the annual report of the Commission on Improving the Status of Children in Indiana and charges the Commission with studying the duties, responsibilities, and inter-agency co … [Read more...] about Children’s Commission report and DCS human trafficking coordinator
Parental incarceration
The Senate Committee on Family and Children Services heard HB 1432 sponsored by Senator Young regarding parental incarceration. The bill provides that: a child in need of services (CHINS) case plan must include a description and discussion of the services and treatment available to an incarcerated parent at the facility at which the parent is incarcerated; and how the parent and … [Read more...] about Parental incarceration
Drug testing and visitation
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard Sen. Crider’s SB 323 on drug testing and visitation. The bill authorizes a court to require a parent to submit to drug testing as a condition of exercising parenting time rights if the court finds that: (1) the parent has a history of unlawful drug use within the previous five years; or (2) there is a reasonable likelihood that the parent is c … [Read more...] about Drug testing and visitation