Second Regular Session of the 123rd General Assembly (2024)
PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana
Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type,
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between statutes enacted by the 2023 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
HOUSE ENROLLED ACT No. 1051
AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning family law and
juvenile law.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
SECTION 1. IC 31-10-2-1, AS AMENDED BY P.L.146-2021,
SECTION 4, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
JULY 1, 2024]: Sec. 1. It is the policy of this state and the purpose of
this title to:
(1) recognize the importance of family and children in our society,
including the parenting rights of a parent, regardless of whether
the parent has a disability;
(2) recognize the responsibility of the state to enhance the
viability of children and family in our society;
(3) acknowledge the responsibility each person owes to the other;
(4) strengthen family life by assisting parents to fulfill their
parental obligations;
(5) ensure that children within the juvenile justice system are
treated as persons in need of care, protection, treatment, and
rehabilitation;
(6) remove children from families only when it is in the child's
best interest or in the best interest of public safety;
(7) make reasonable efforts to support and facilitate two-way
communication between a child's parent or parents and any
licensed foster parent or kinship caregiver caring for the child
following removal by the department of child services;
HEA 1051 2
(7) (8) provide for adoption as a viable permanency plan for
children who are adjudicated children in need of services;
(8) (9) provide a juvenile justice system that protects the public
by enforcing the legal obligations that children have to society
and society has to children;
(9) (10) use diversionary programs when appropriate;
(10) (11) provide a judicial procedure that:
(A) ensures fair hearings;
(B) recognizes and enforces the legal rights of children and
their parents; and
(C) recognizes and enforces the accountability of children and
parents;
(11) (12) promote public safety and individual accountability by
the imposition of appropriate sanctions; and
(12) (13) provide a continuum of services developed in a
cooperative effort by local governments and the state.
HEA 1051 Speaker of the House of Representatives
President of the Senate
President Pro Tempore
Governor of the State of Indiana
Date: Time:
HEA 1051