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 6756 NOTE PREPARED: Dec 28, 2023
BILL NUMBER: HB 1230 BILL AMENDED:
SUBJECT: Child Fatality Information.
FIRST AUTHOR: Rep. Lauer BILL STATUS: As Introduced
FIRST SPONSOR:
FUNDS AFFECTED:XGENERAL IMPACT: State
DEDICATED
FEDERAL
Summary of Legislation: This bill provides that the Department of Child Services (DCS) shall disclose to
the public certain information regarding child fatalities or near fatalities. It provides that, upon request, the
DCS may provide additional information regarding cases of child fatalities or near fatalities subject to certain
requirements. It also makes technical and conforming changes.
Effective Date: July 1, 2024.
Explanation of State Expenditures: Department of Child Services (DCS): The bill will increase the
workload of the DCS to collect and report additional information on child fatalities and near fatalities. It also
requires the DCS to provide to the public a summary report within 90 days of completing the report for a case
involving a fatality or near fatality.
These requirements represent an additional workload and expenditure outside of the DCS’s routine
administrative functions, and existing staffing and resource levels, if currently being used to capacity, may
be insufficient for full implementation. The additional funds and resources required could be supplied
through existing staff and resources currently being used in another program or with new appropriations.
Ultimately, the source of funds and resources required to satisfy the requirements of this bill will depend on
legislative and administrative actions. [An information request is pending with DCS. The fiscal note will be
updated if this information is received .]
Additional Information - The bill provides that the DCS shall promptly provide information to the public
regarding a case of child abuse or neglect that has resulted in a fatality or near fatality. It also provides that
the DCS must provide certain information if the case involves a child who was residing in the child’s home
HB 1230 1 at the time of the child’s fatality or near fatality. If the child was in an out-of-home placement at the time,
the DCS must include certain information in the summary report. These provisions will increase the
workload of the DCS to prepare summary reports, and provide required information to the public in a timely
manner.
In 2021, of the 271 total child fatalities investigated by the DCS, 60 involved abuse or neglect that are the
subject of the DCS’s Child Abuse & Neglect Fatalities Report. On average, the DCS receives 15,000 hotline
calls reporting suspected child abuse or neglect each month. DCS estimates that two-thirds of those reports
are investigated for substantiation of the claims and would be reviewed for inclusion in the report.
Explanation of State Revenues:
Explanation of Local Expenditures:
Explanation of Local Revenues:
State Agencies Affected: Department of Child Services.
Local Agencies Affected:
Information Sources: Department of Child Services, Reports & Statistics, 2021 Annual Report of Child
Abuse & Neglect Fatalities in Indiana, https://www.in.gov/dcs/reports-and-statistics/child-abuse-and-neglect/;
Indiana Department of Health, Statewide Child Fatality Review Committee,
https://www.in.gov/health/frp/fatality-review/statewide-child-fatality-review-committee/.
Fiscal Analyst: Corrin Harvey, 317-234-9438.
HB 1230 2