LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY
OFFICE OF FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS
200 W. Washington St., Suite 301
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 233-0696
iga.in.gov
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
LS 6750 NOTE PREPARED: Feb 20, 2024
BILL NUMBER: HB 1101 BILL AMENDED: Feb 15, 2024
SUBJECT: Courts for Children Three Years of Age and Younger in Need of Services.
FIRST AUTHOR: Rep. Lauer BILL STATUS: As Passed Senate
FIRST SPONSOR: Sen. Koch
FUNDS AFFECTED:XGENERAL IMPACT: State & Local
DEDICATED
FEDERAL
Summary of Legislation: This bill establishes a safe baby court as a type of problem solving court. It also
provides that a Child in Need of Services (CHINS) is an eligible individual for purposes of a problem solving
court program.
Effective Date: July 1, 2024.
Explanation of State Expenditures: Office of Judicial Administration (OJA): If a safe baby court is
established, the bill will increase the workload of the OJA to certify safe baby courts. The bill’s requirements
are within the OJA’s routine administrative functions and should be able to be implemented with no
additional appropriations, assuming near customary agency staffing and resource levels.
Additional Information - Under IC 33-23-16-17, the OJA is required to review and certify problem-solving
courts. Problem solving courts involve a prearranged system of graduated sanctions and rewards which focus
on addressing specific problems that a participant is facing. Judges monitor the progress of these participants,
sometimes meeting with these participants weekly. When a participant does not comply with court orders,
the judge may impose a sanction.
The bill establishes a safe baby court. By expanding the types of courts that could be certified as problem
solving courts, this could potentially increase the number of courts to certify. As of 2023, there were
approximately 123 problem-solving courts in 58 counties, with 18 more courts in the planning stages. This
includes adult drug courts, truancy court, family recovery courts, veterans courts, re-entry courts, juvenile
problem-solving courts, mental health courts, and domestic violence courts.
HB 1101 1 Explanation of State Revenues:
Explanation of Local Expenditures: Problem-Solving Courts: The bill expands eligible individuals who
may participate in problem-solving court to include a parent or guardian of a child who is a CHINS. As a
result, this could increase the number of eligible participants in problem solving courts.
[See Explanation of State Expenditures.]
Explanation of Local Revenues: Problem-solving courts could charge user fees if permitted by the OJA.
Any increase in local revenue will depend on local action.
State Agencies Affected: Indiana Supreme Court, Office of Judicial Administration.
Local Agencies Affected: Trial and city courts; prosecuting attorneys.
Information Sources: Indiana Supreme Court, Problem-Solving Courts,
https://www.in.gov/courts/iocs/pscourts/; Indiana Budget Committee, Judicial Branch Transmittal Letter,
https://www.in.gov/sba/budget-committee/2023-2025-budget-committee-hearing-archives/;
Fiscal Analyst: Corrin Harvey, 317-234-9438.
HB 1101 2