The House Judiciary Committee heard HB 1406 authored by Rep. Mayfield on the Department of Child Services. The bill updates and revises Indiana law to ensure consistency with federal law on child support. Testimony was heard in support of the amended bill from the Child Support Bureau. The bill amended passed 10-0. Read the bill at h … [Read more...] about Department of Child Services
children
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
Child support
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB 179 on child support, authored by Sen. Bray. The bill provides the following: incarceration of a parent may not be considered voluntary unemployment in determining an amount to be ordered for support of a child a court may modify the child support order, or approve a proposed modification, without holding a hearing if: (1) a petition to … [Read more...] about Child support
Required DCS notification for schools
The Senate Committee on Family and Children Services heard SB 135 authored by Sens. Bohacek and Zay on required DCS notification for schools. The bill (1) requires a law enforcement agency that participates in a child abuse or neglect assessment (assessment) involving a child who attends kindergarten through grade 12 to provide information to the department of child services (DCS) if … [Read more...] about Required DCS notification for schools
Maximum number of foster children
The Senate Committee on Family and Children Services heard SB 184 authored by Sens. Zay and Ford on the maximum number of foster children. The bill increases from five to six the number of children who may be supervised in a foster family home. Sen. Zay explained that as recently as 2011 the limit was eight children per home, which was then lowered to five, but many experienced fo … [Read more...] about Maximum number of foster children