The Senate Family and Children Services Committee heard SB 428 authored by Sen. Zay on Department of Child Services (DCS). The bill requires the local school to participate in a case conference in a CHINS case when DCS prepares a pre-disposition report and requires DCS to share drug test results. Two local school representatives discussed a case in which a severely ill child was … [Read more...] about Department of Child Services
Department of Child Services
Department of Child Services
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
Termination of parental rights
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB 402 on termination of parental rights authored by Sen. Becker. The bill provides the following: requires the Department of Child Services (Department) to file a petition for termination of parental rights if a child's parent, guardian, or custodian accumulates a total of three instances of certain acts or omissions. adds to the list of … [Read more...] about Termination of parental rights
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
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