The House Judiciary Committee heard HB 1605 on juvenile law matters, authored by Rep. McGuire. The law seeks to enhance child safety, ensure timely services, and clarify the roles and rights of involved parties in legal proceedings. On February 2nd, the committee heard testimony in support of the bill from Champions for Children, Firefly Children & Family Alliance, three … [Read more...] about Juvenile law matters
Department of Child Services
Offenses against children
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 326 on offenses against children authored by Sen. Freeman. The bill replaces the term "child pornography" with the term "child sex abuse material" throughout the Indiana Code. The bill also provides that it is a defense to prosecution of child exploitation and possession of child sex abuse material if a school employee, … [Read more...] about Offenses against children
Parental rights
At a previous meeting, the Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB 143 on parental rights, authored by Sen. Liz Brown. The bill: Testimony in support of the bill was provided by the Alliance for Defending Freedom and six members of the public. The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana testified against the bill. On January 15, 2025, the bill was heard for amend and … [Read more...] about Parental rights
DCS technical changes and adoption subsidies
H.E.A. 1064, P.L. 46 Effective: July 1, 2024 Relocates the definition of "foster youth". Defines "licensed kinship caregiver". Makes the following changes regarding state adoption subsidies: (1) Removes the age requirement for eligibility. (2) Provides that a child who is a ward of the Department of Child Services (DCS) is considered hard to place for purposes of eligibility. … [Read more...] about DCS technical changes and adoption subsidies
Child advocacy centers
H.E.A. 1123, P.L. 54 Effective: July 1, 2024 Provides that the Department of Child Services may use a child advocacy center to coordinate a multidisciplinary team for responding to reports involving child abuse or neglect. Requires the child advocacy center to: (1) coordinate a multidisciplinary team that consists of specified professionals; (2) ensure that the … [Read more...] about Child advocacy centers