LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY
OFFICE OF FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS
200 W. Washington, Suite 301
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 233-0696
iga.in.gov
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
LS 7171 NOTE PREPARED: Jan 4, 2022
BILL NUMBER: HB 1210 BILL AMENDED:
SUBJECT: Child placement and permanency.
FIRST AUTHOR: Rep. Lauer BILL STATUS: As Introduced
FIRST SPONSOR:
FUNDS AFFECTED: GENERAL IMPACT: Pending
DEDICATED
FEDERAL
Summary of Legislation: Provides that a juvenile court in a child in need of services (CHINS) proceeding:
(1) may extend the time to complete the required factfinding hearing: (A) for good cause shown; and (B) if
the court determines that the extension is in the child's best interests; (2) may (rather than shall, under current
law) dismiss a CHINS case without prejudice if the factfinding hearing is not held before the statutorily
required deadline; (3) may not enter a dispositional decree approving or ordering placement of a child in
another home if an: (A) individual who resides in the home; or (B) individual with whom a person residing
in the home is engaged in a dating relationship or other ongoing, nonfamilial relationship (household
member); has committed one or more specified offenses; and (4) may not approve a permanency plan under
which the child would be placed: (A) with the child's parent, guardian, or custodian; or (B) with an adoptive
parent; if a person who is currently residing in the home in which the child would reside has committed an
act resulting in a substantiated report of child abuse or neglect or has committed one or more specified
offenses. Provides that before reunifying a child with the child's parent, guardian, or custodian, the
department of child services (department) shall (rather than may, under current law): (1) conduct a criminal
history check of: (A) the parent, guardian, or custodian; and (B) a household member of the parent, guardian,
or custodian; and (2) consider the results of the criminal history check in deciding whether it is safe for the
child to return home. Provides that if the circumstances that prompted the removal of a child from the home
of the child's parent, guardian, or custodian included danger to the child's physical or mental health or safety
related to the use of alcohol or a controlled substance by the parent, guardian, or custodian, or by a household
member of the parent, guardian, or custodian, the department may require as a condition of reunification of
the child with the parent, guardian, or custodian that the parent, guardian, custodian, or household member:
(1) successfully complete a substance abuse treatment program; and (2) submit to periodic, random testing
for alcohol or controlled substances. Amends and adds to the conditions under which reasonable efforts to
reunify a child with the child's parent, guardian, or custodian, or preserve a child's family, are not required.
HB 1210 1 Provides that if a hearing regarding a petition to terminate the parent-child relationship is not held before the
statutorily required deadline: (1) upon filing of a motion with the court by a party to the proceeding; and (2)
absent good cause shown for the failure to hold the hearing before the statutorily required deadline; the court
shall dismiss the petition without prejudice.
Effective Date: July 1, 2022.
Explanation of State Expenditures: As of the above date, the fiscal analysis of this bill has not been
completed. Please contact the Office of Fiscal and Management Analysis for an update of this fiscal impact
statement.
Explanation of State Revenues:
Explanation of Local Expenditures:
Explanation of Local Revenues:
State Agencies Affected:
Local Agencies Affected:
Information Sources:
Fiscal Analyst: Corrin Harvey, 317-234-9438.
HB 1210 2