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 6596 NOTE PREPARED: Feb 15, 2024
BILL NUMBER: SB 171 BILL AMENDED:
SUBJECT: Reunification Plan for a Child in Need of Services.
FIRST AUTHOR: Sen. Walker G BILL STATUS: CR Adopted - 2
nd
House
FIRST SPONSOR: Rep. Lauer
FUNDS AFFECTED:XGENERAL IMPACT: State
DEDICATED
FEDERAL
Summary of Legislation: This bill amends the circumstances 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.
Effective Date: July 1, 2024.
Explanation of State Expenditures: Under the bill, the Department of Child Services (DCS) would not be
required to exercise reasonable efforts to reunify a child with the child’s parent, guardian, or custodian if the
child has been adjudicated a CHINS on two or more separate occasions and was removed from the home of
the parent, guardian, or custodian. This bill may increase the number of CHINS in state care (and state
expenditures) if DCS is no longer required to use reasonable efforts to reunify a CHINS with a parent,
guardian, or custodian.
The number of CHINS in the state who have been adjudicated a CHINS on two or more separate occasions
and removed from the home of the parent, guardian, or custodian is indeterminable. However, the number
of cases affected by this bill are expected to be minimal.
Explanation of State Revenues:
Explanation of Local Expenditures:
Explanation of Local Revenues:
State Agencies Affected: Department of Child Services.
SB 171 1 Local Agencies Affected:
Information Sources:
Fiscal Analyst: Corrin Harvey, 317-234-9438.
SB 171 2