The House Judiciary Committee heard HB 1169 authored by Rep. Schaibley on sibling groups in family reunification plans. The bill requires courts to consider whether a child’s reunification with a parent, guardian, or custodian will result in separation of the child from a sibling and whether that separation from the sibling is in the child’s best interest. Foster parents and Cha … [Read more...] about Sibling groups in family reunification plans
children
Child sex offenses
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 48 on child sex offenses authored by Sen. Crider.The bill provides that a criminal prosecution of a sex offense committed against a child that is otherwise barred by the statute of limitations may nevertheless be commenced within five years from the date on which: (1) the state discovers DNA evidence; (2) the … [Read more...] about Child sex offenses
Car insurance for foster children
S.E.A. 246, P.L. 59 Effective July 1, 2022 Adds Ind. Code § 31-26-4.5 to create the Insuring Foster Youth Trust Program to provide monies to foster youth to defray the cost of car insurance, subject to available funding. Provides DCS administers this fund. Read the bill at http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2022/bills/senate/246 … [Read more...] about Car insurance for foster children
Statute of limitations
S.E.A. 109, P.L. 31 Effective: July 1, 2020 Provides that an otherwise barred offense may be commenced not later than five years from the earlier of the date on which: (1) the state first discovers DNA evidence sufficient to charge the offender; (2) the state first becomes aware of a recording that provides evidence sufficient to charge the offender; or (3) a person confesses to the … [Read more...] about Statute of limitations
Deposition of a child victim
S.E.A. 206, P.L. 62 Effective: March 18, 2020 Defines "child victim" as a child less than 16 years of age who is the victim of a sex offense and specifies that a child victim has the right to confer with a representative of the prosecuting attorney's office before being deposed. Repeals and replaces the current statute concerning the deposition of a child with a new statute that … [Read more...] about Deposition of a child victim