The House Family, Children and Human Affairs Committee heard HB 1363 authored by Rep. John Young on various Department of Child Services (DCS) changes. The bill removes the filing requirement for a verified parental participation petition before the juvenile court can proceed to disposition. The bill also makes certain changes regarding the DCS changing a child’s out of home p … [Read more...] about Various Department of Child Services changes
Department of Child Services
Parents with disabilities
S.E.A. 259, P.L. 146 Effective: July 1, 2021 Specifies that it is the policy of the state to recognize the parenting rights of a parent regardless of whether the parent has a disability. Provides that the right of a person with a disability to parent the person's child may not be denied or restricted solely because the person has a disability. Provides that: (1) a court, in: (A) … [Read more...] about Parents with disabilities
Adoption
H.E.A. 1448, P.L. 203 Effective: July 1, 2021 Permits an individual who seeks to adopt a child less than 18 years of age to file a petition for adoption in any county in Indiana if either of the following is filed with the petition: (1) A written consent to the adoption from each individual whose consent to the adoption is required under Indiana law; (2) A certified copy of a … [Read more...] about Adoption
Child services oversight
S.E.A. 301, P.L. 148 Effective: April 29, 2021 Establishes the interim study committee on child services (committee). Provides that the committee: (1) shall review the annual reports submitted by local child fatality review teams and by the statewide child fatality review committee and shall report to the legislative council regarding the committee's review of the reports; and … [Read more...] about Child services oversight
State budget
H.E.A. 1001, P.L. 165 Effective: §§184-186 effective July 1, 2021 § 184-185 - Amends Ind. Code § 31-19-26.5-3 and 5 to require adoption subsidy payments for a child with special needs in therapeutic foster care to be not less than 50% of the per diem rate for the child in foster care. 186 Adds Ind. Code § 31-19-26.5-10 to require DCS in certain cases to enter into written agre … [Read more...] about State budget