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 7045 NOTE PREPARED: Feb 19, 2024 BILL NUMBER: HB 1310 BILL AMENDED: Jan 29, 2024 SUBJECT: Children in Need of Services. FIRST AUTHOR: Rep. Lauer BILL STATUS: CR Adopted - 2 nd House FIRST SPONSOR: Sen. Walker G FUNDS AFFECTED:XGENERAL IMPACT: State & Local DEDICATED FEDERAL Summary of Legislation: This bill provides that if a child has been removed from the child's parent for at least 12 of the most recent 22 months at the time of a periodic case review, the child's permanency plan must include at least one intended permanent or long term arrangement for care and custody of the child other than reunification of the child with the child's parent, guardian, or custodian. It provides that concurrent planning must be implemented if the child has been removed from the child's parent for at least 12 of the most recent 22 months at the time of a permanency hearing. It provides that the Department of Child Services may not: (1) take adverse action against a foster parent's license; or (2) remove a child from the home of a foster parent, relative of the child, or de facto custodian; on the basis of the foster parent, relative, or de facto custodian filing a notice with the court that a petition is required to be filed, but has not been filed, to terminate the parent-child relationship with regard to the child. Effective Date: Upon passage. Explanation of State Expenditures: Department of Child Services (DCS): To the extent an adverse action has occurred against a foster parent, kinship caregiver, or a de facto custodian by the DCS, the bill could potentially reduce future litigation cost and civil actions filed by the DCS. Periodic Case Review: The bill requires the DCS to amend the permanency plan after a certain period of time. This provisions should have no fiscal impact. The DCS should be able to accomplish the bill’s requirements within existing resources. HB 1310 1 Under current policy, the DCS will prepare and submit to the court a progress report for every child with an open CHINS case every 6 months after the dispositional decree. The DCS will submit the progress report to the court at least 10 days before the periodic case review hearing, or as ordered by the court. During the periodic case review hearing, the court will review the existing permanency plan, and identify objectives of the dispositional decree that have not been met. The court will also determine if reasonable efforts for reunification are necessary. Explanation of State Revenues: Explanation of Local Expenditures: Explanation of Local Revenues: State Agencies Affected: Department of Child Services. Local Agencies Affected: Juvenile and probate cases. Information Sources: Department of Child Services, Child Welfare Policy Manual, Out-of-Home Services, Developing the Visitation Plan, https://www.in.gov/dcs/policies/child-welfare-policies/; Periodic Case Review Hearing, Child Welfare Policy Manual. Fiscal Analyst: Corrin Harvey, 317-234-9438. HB 1310 2