Indiana 2025 Regular Session

Indiana House Bill HB1273 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
	1	+	EH1273.2
	2	+	Reprinted
	3	+	March 28, 2025
	4	+	ENGROSSED
	5	+	HOUSE BILL No. 1273
	6	+	_____
	7	+	DIGEST OF HB 1273 (Updated March 27, 2025 3:00 pm - DI 148)
	8	+	Citations Affected: IC 2-5.
	9	+	Synopsis: Child welfare task force. Establishes the child welfare task
	10	+	force (task force) to study specified topics regarding child welfare
	11	+	services in Indiana. Requires the task force to submit a report not later
	12	+	than October 15, 2026, and not later than October 15, 2027, for review
	13	+	by the interim study committee on child services.
	14	+	Effective: July 1, 2025.
	15	+	DeVon, McGuire, Lauer, Jackson C
	16	+	(SENATE SPONSORS — ROGERS, DONATO, BROWN L)
	17	+	January 13, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Family, Children and
	18	+	Human Affairs.
	19	+	January 30, 2025, reported — Do Pass.
	20	+	February 3, 2025, read second time, ordered engrossed.
	21	+	February 4, 2025, engrossed. Read third time, passed. Yeas 90, nays 0.
	22	+	SENATE ACTION
	23	+	February 18, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Family and Children
	24	+	Services.
	25	+	March 18, 2025, amended, reported favorably — Do Pass.
	26	+	March 27, 2025, read second time, amended, ordered engrossed.
	27	+	EH 1273—LS 7382/DI 148 Reprinted
	28	+	March 28, 2025
1	29		First Regular Session of the 124th General Assembly (2025)
2	30		PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana
3	31		Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type,
4	32		additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
5	33		Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional
6	34		provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the
7	35		word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds
8	36		a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
9	37		Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts
10	38		between statutes enacted by the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
11		-	HOUSE ENROLLED ACT No. 1273
12		-	AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning family law and
13		-	juvenile law.
	39	+	ENGROSSED
	40	+	HOUSE BILL No. 1273
	41	+	A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
	42	+	family law and juvenile law.
14	43		Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
15		-	SECTION 1. IC 2-5-1.3-13, AS AMENDED BY P.L.9-2024,
16		-	SECTION 6, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
17		-	JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 13. (a) A study committee shall study the issues
18		-	assigned by the legislative council that are within the subject matter for
19		-	the study committee, as described in section 4 of this chapter.
20		-	(b) In addition to the issues assigned under subsection (a), the
21		-	interim study committee on roads and transportation shall advise the
22		-	bureau of motor vehicles regarding the suitability of a special group (as
23		-	defined in IC 9-13-2-170) to receive a special group recognition license
24		-	plate for the special group (as defined in IC 9-13-2-170) for the first
25		-	time under IC 9-18.5-12-4 and the suitability of a special group (as
26		-	defined in IC 9-13-2-170) to continue participating in the special group
27		-	recognition license plate program under IC 9-18.5-12-5.
28		-	(c) In addition to the issues assigned under subsection (a), the
29		-	interim study committee on corrections and criminal code shall review
30		-	current trends with respect to criminal behavior, sentencing,
31		-	incarceration, and treatment and may:
32		-	(1) identify particular needs of the criminal justice system that can
33		-	be addressed by legislation; and
34		-	(2) prepare legislation to address the particular needs found by the
35		-	committee.
36		-	HEA 1273 — Concur 2
37		-	(d) In each even-numbered year, in addition to the issues assigned
38		-	under subsection (a), the interim study committee on courts and the
39		-	judiciary shall review, consider, and make recommendations
40		-	concerning all requests for new courts, new judicial officers, and
41		-	changes in jurisdiction of existing courts. A request under this
42		-	subsection must include at least the following information to receive
43		-	full consideration by the committee:
44		-	(1) The level of community support for the change, including
45		-	support from the local fiscal body.
46		-	(2) The results of a survey that shall be conducted by the county
47		-	requesting the change, sampling members of the bar, members of
48		-	the judiciary, and local officials to determine needs and concerns
49		-	of existing courts.
50		-	(3) Whether the county is already using a judge or magistrate
51		-	from an overserved area of the judicial district.
52		-	(4) The relative severity of need based on the most recent
53		-	weighted caseload measurement system report published by the
54		-	office of judicial administration.
55		-	(5) Whether the county is using any problem solving court as
56		-	described in IC 33-23-16-11, and, if so, the list of problem solving
57		-	courts established in the county, and any evaluation of the impact
58		-	of the problem solving courts on the overall judicial caseload.
59		-	(6) A description of the:
60		-	(A) county's population growth in the ten (10) years before the
61		-	date of the request; and
62		-	(B) projected population growth in the county for the ten (10)
63		-	years after the date of the request, to the extent available;
64		-	and any documentation to support the information provided under
65		-	this subdivision.
66		-	(7) A description of the county's use of pre-incarceration
67		-	diversion services and post-incarceration reentry services in an
68		-	effort to decrease recidivism.
69		-	(8) If the request is a request for a new court or new courts, an
70		-	acknowledgment from the county fiscal body (as defined in
71		-	IC 36-1-2-6) with the funding sources and estimated costs the
72		-	county intends to pay toward the county's part of the operating
73		-	costs associated with the new court or new courts.
74		-	The office of judicial administration shall post the list of required
75		-	information provided under this subsection on its website.
76		-	(e) In each even-numbered year, in addition to the issues assigned
77		-	under subsection (a), the interim study committee on courts and the
78		-	judiciary shall review the most recent weighted caseload measurement
79		-	HEA 1273 — Concur 3
80		-	system report published by the office of judicial administration and do
81		-	the following:
82		-	(1) Identify each county in which the number of courts or judicial
83		-	officers exceeds the number used by the county in that report
84		-	year.
85		-	(2) Determine the number of previous report years in which the
86		-	number of courts or judicial officers in a county identified in
87		-	subdivision (1) exceeded the number used by the county in that
88		-	particular report year.
89		-	(3) Make a recommendation on whether the number of courts or
90		-	judicial officers in the county should be decreased.
91		-	The office of judicial administration shall post a list of the number of
92		-	courts or judicial officers used in each county for each report year, and
93		-	the number of years in which the number of courts or judicial officers
94		-	in the county has exceeded the number used by the county, on its
95		-	website.
96		-	(f) In addition to studying the issues assigned under subsection (a),
97		-	the interim study committee on child services shall:
98		-	(1) review the annual reports submitted by:
99		-	(A) each local child fatality review team under IC 16-49-3-7;
100		-	(B) the statewide child fatality review committee under
101		-	IC 16-49-4-11; and
102		-	(C) the department of child services under IC 31-25-2-24;
103		-	during the immediately preceding twelve (12) month period, and
104		-	may make recommendations regarding changes in policies or
105		-	statutes to improve child safety; and
106		-	(2) report to the legislative council before November 1 of each
107		-	interim, in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6, the results of:
108		-	(A) the committee's review under subdivision (1); and
109		-	(B) the committee's study of any issue assigned to the
110		-	committee under subsection (a).
111		-	(g) In each even-numbered year, in addition to the issues assigned
112		-	under subsection (a), the interim study committee on government shall
113		-	do the following:
114		-	(1) Determine whether a group has met in the immediately
115		-	preceding two (2) years.
116		-	(2) Identify all interstate compacts that have been fully
117		-	operational for at least two (2) years to which the state is a party.
118		-	(3) Consider whether to:
119		-	(A) remain a party to; or
120		-	(B) withdraw from;
121		-	each interstate compact.
122		-	HEA 1273 — Concur 4
123		-	(4) If the committee determines that the state should withdraw
124		-	from an interstate compact, identify the steps needed to withdraw.
125		-	(5) Report before November 1 to the legislative council, in an
126		-	electronic format under IC 5-14-6 the committee's:
127		-	(A) recommendations for proposed legislation to repeal groups
128		-	that have not met during the immediately preceding two (2)
129		-	years; and
130		-	(B) findings and recommendations regarding the interstate
131		-	compacts.
132		-	As used in this subsection, "group" refers to an authority, a board, a
133		-	commission, a committee, a council, a delegate, a foundation, a panel,
134		-	or a task force that is established by statute, has at least one (1)
135		-	legislator assigned to it, and is not staffed by the legislative services
136		-	agency.
137		-	(h) In 2026 and 2027, in addition to the issues assigned under
138		-	subsections (a) and (f), the interim study committee on child
139		-	services shall review the report submitted by the child welfare task
140		-	force under IC 2-5-55.7-8. This subsection expires December 31,
141		-	2027.
142		-	SECTION 2. IC 2-5-55.7 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
143		-	AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
144		-	JULY 1, 2025]:
145		-	Chapter 55.7. Child Welfare Task Force
146		-	Sec. 1. (a) This chapter is subject to IC 2-5-1.2.
	44	+	1 SECTION 1. IC 2-5-1.3-13, AS AMENDED BY P.L.9-2024,
	45	+	2 SECTION 6, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	46	+	3 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 13. (a) A study committee shall study the issues
	47	+	4 assigned by the legislative council that are within the subject matter for
	48	+	5 the study committee, as described in section 4 of this chapter.
	49	+	6 (b) In addition to the issues assigned under subsection (a), the
	50	+	7 interim study committee on roads and transportation shall advise the
	51	+	8 bureau of motor vehicles regarding the suitability of a special group (as
	52	+	9 defined in IC 9-13-2-170) to receive a special group recognition license
	53	+	10 plate for the special group (as defined in IC 9-13-2-170) for the first
	54	+	11 time under IC 9-18.5-12-4 and the suitability of a special group (as
	55	+	12 defined in IC 9-13-2-170) to continue participating in the special group
	56	+	13 recognition license plate program under IC 9-18.5-12-5.
	57	+	14 (c) In addition to the issues assigned under subsection (a), the
	58	+	15 interim study committee on corrections and criminal code shall review
	59	+	16 current trends with respect to criminal behavior, sentencing,
	60	+	17 incarceration, and treatment and may:
	61	+	EH 1273—LS 7382/DI 148 2
	62	+	1 (1) identify particular needs of the criminal justice system that can
	63	+	2 be addressed by legislation; and
	64	+	3 (2) prepare legislation to address the particular needs found by the
	65	+	4 committee.
	66	+	5 (d) In each even-numbered year, in addition to the issues assigned
	67	+	6 under subsection (a), the interim study committee on courts and the
	68	+	7 judiciary shall review, consider, and make recommendations
	69	+	8 concerning all requests for new courts, new judicial officers, and
	70	+	9 changes in jurisdiction of existing courts. A request under this
	71	+	10 subsection must include at least the following information to receive
	72	+	11 full consideration by the committee:
	73	+	12 (1) The level of community support for the change, including
	74	+	13 support from the local fiscal body.
	75	+	14 (2) The results of a survey that shall be conducted by the county
	76	+	15 requesting the change, sampling members of the bar, members of
	77	+	16 the judiciary, and local officials to determine needs and concerns
	78	+	17 of existing courts.
	79	+	18 (3) Whether the county is already using a judge or magistrate
	80	+	19 from an overserved area of the judicial district.
	81	+	20 (4) The relative severity of need based on the most recent
	82	+	21 weighted caseload measurement system report published by the
	83	+	22 office of judicial administration.
	84	+	23 (5) Whether the county is using any problem solving court as
	85	+	24 described in IC 33-23-16-11, and, if so, the list of problem solving
	86	+	25 courts established in the county, and any evaluation of the impact
	87	+	26 of the problem solving courts on the overall judicial caseload.
	88	+	27 (6) A description of the:
	89	+	28 (A) county's population growth in the ten (10) years before the
	90	+	29 date of the request; and
	91	+	30 (B) projected population growth in the county for the ten (10)
	92	+	31 years after the date of the request, to the extent available;
	93	+	32 and any documentation to support the information provided under
	94	+	33 this subdivision.
	95	+	34 (7) A description of the county's use of pre-incarceration
	96	+	35 diversion services and post-incarceration reentry services in an
	97	+	36 effort to decrease recidivism.
	98	+	37 (8) If the request is a request for a new court or new courts, an
	99	+	38 acknowledgment from the county fiscal body (as defined in
	100	+	39 IC 36-1-2-6) with the funding sources and estimated costs the
	101	+	40 county intends to pay toward the county's part of the operating
	102	+	41 costs associated with the new court or new courts.
	103	+	42 The office of judicial administration shall post the list of required
	104	+	EH 1273—LS 7382/DI 148 3
	105	+	1 information provided under this subsection on its website.
	106	+	2 (e) In each even-numbered year, in addition to the issues assigned
	107	+	3 under subsection (a), the interim study committee on courts and the
	108	+	4 judiciary shall review the most recent weighted caseload measurement
	109	+	5 system report published by the office of judicial administration and do
	110	+	6 the following:
	111	+	7 (1) Identify each county in which the number of courts or judicial
	112	+	8 officers exceeds the number used by the county in that report
	113	+	9 year.
	114	+	10 (2) Determine the number of previous report years in which the
	115	+	11 number of courts or judicial officers in a county identified in
	116	+	12 subdivision (1) exceeded the number used by the county in that
	117	+	13 particular report year.
	118	+	14 (3) Make a recommendation on whether the number of courts or
	119	+	15 judicial officers in the county should be decreased.
	120	+	16 The office of judicial administration shall post a list of the number of
	121	+	17 courts or judicial officers used in each county for each report year, and
	122	+	18 the number of years in which the number of courts or judicial officers
	123	+	19 in the county has exceeded the number used by the county, on its
	124	+	20 website.
	125	+	21 (f) In addition to studying the issues assigned under subsection (a),
	126	+	22 the interim study committee on child services shall:
	127	+	23 (1) review the annual reports submitted by:
	128	+	24 (A) each local child fatality review team under IC 16-49-3-7;
	129	+	25 (B) the statewide child fatality review committee under
	130	+	26 IC 16-49-4-11; and
	131	+	27 (C) the department of child services under IC 31-25-2-24;
	132	+	28 during the immediately preceding twelve (12) month period, and
	133	+	29 may make recommendations regarding changes in policies or
	134	+	30 statutes to improve child safety; and
	135	+	31 (2) report to the legislative council before November 1 of each
	136	+	32 interim, in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6, the results of:
	137	+	33 (A) the committee's review under subdivision (1); and
	138	+	34 (B) the committee's study of any issue assigned to the
	139	+	35 committee under subsection (a).
	140	+	36 (g) In each even-numbered year, in addition to the issues assigned
	141	+	37 under subsection (a), the interim study committee on government shall
	142	+	38 do the following:
	143	+	39 (1) Determine whether a group has met in the immediately
	144	+	40 preceding two (2) years.
	145	+	41 (2) Identify all interstate compacts that have been fully
	146	+	42 operational for at least two (2) years to which the state is a party.
	147	+	EH 1273—LS 7382/DI 148 4
	148	+	1 (3) Consider whether to:
	149	+	2 (A) remain a party to; or
	150	+	3 (B) withdraw from;
	151	+	4 each interstate compact.
	152	+	5 (4) If the committee determines that the state should withdraw
	153	+	6 from an interstate compact, identify the steps needed to withdraw.
	154	+	7 (5) Report before November 1 to the legislative council, in an
	155	+	8 electronic format under IC 5-14-6 the committee's:
	156	+	9 (A) recommendations for proposed legislation to repeal groups
	157	+	10 that have not met during the immediately preceding two (2)
	158	+	11 years; and
	159	+	12 (B) findings and recommendations regarding the interstate
	160	+	13 compacts.
	161	+	14 As used in this subsection, "group" refers to an authority, a board, a
	162	+	15 commission, a committee, a council, a delegate, a foundation, a panel,
	163	+	16 or a task force that is established by statute, has at least one (1)
	164	+	17 legislator assigned to it, and is not staffed by the legislative services
	165	+	18 agency.
	166	+	19 (h) In 2026 and 2027, in addition to the issues assigned under
	167	+	20 subsections (a) and (f), the interim study committee on child
	168	+	21 services shall review the report submitted by the child welfare task
	169	+	22 force under IC 2-5-55.7-8. This subsection expires December 31,
	170	+	23 2027.
	171	+	24 SECTION 2. IC 2-5-55.7 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
	172	+	25 AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	173	+	26 JULY 1, 2025]:
	174	+	27 Chapter 55.7. Child Welfare Task Force
	175	+	28 Sec. 1. (a) This chapter is subject to IC 2-5-1.2.
	176	+	29 (b) As used in this chapter, "task force" refers to the child
	177	+	30 welfare task force established by section 2 of this chapter.
	178	+	31 Sec. 2. The child welfare task force is established.
	179	+	32 Sec. 3. (a) The task force consists of the following twenty-two
	180	+	33 (22) members, all of whom are voting members:
	181	+	34 (1) Five (5) members of the senate, appointed as follows:
	182	+	35 (A) Three (3) members appointed by the president pro
	183	+	36 tempore, one (1) of whom serves as co-chair of the task
	184	+	37 force.
	185	+	38 (B) Two (2) members appointed by the minority leader.
	186	+	39 (2) Five (5) members of the house of representatives,
	187	+	40 appointed as follows:
	188	+	41 (A) Three (3) members appointed by the speaker, one (1)
	189	+	42 of whom serves as co-chair of the task force.
	190	+	EH 1273—LS 7382/DI 148 5
	191	+	1 (B) Two (2) members appointed by the minority leader.
	192	+	2 (3) One (1) member who is a judge appointed by the chief
	193	+	3 justice of the supreme court.
	194	+	4 (4) One (1) member appointed by the speaker who represents
	195	+	5 a child placing agency (as defined in IC 31-9-2-17.5).
	196	+	6 (5) One (1) member appointed by the president pro tempore
	197	+	7 who either:
	198	+	8 (A) is an in-home provider; or
	199	+	9 (B) provides family preservation services (as defined in
	200	+	10 IC 31-9-2-44.8).
	201	+	11 (6) One (1) member appointed by the speaker who represents
	202	+	12 a:
	203	+	13 (A) child caring institution (as defined in IC 31-9-2-16.7);
	204	+	14 or
	205	+	15 (B) private secure facility (as defined in IC 31-9-2-96.5).
	206	+	16 (7) One (1) member appointed by the president pro tempore
	207	+	17 who is a group home (as defined in IC 31-9-2-48.5) provider.
	208	+	18 (8) One (1) member appointed by the speaker who is an older
	209	+	19 foster youth services provider.
	210	+	20 (9) One (1) member appointed by the president pro tempore
	211	+	21 who is a preventative provider that runs a child welfare
	212	+	22 program (as defined in IC 31-26-3.5-1).
	213	+	23 (10) One (1) member appointed by the speaker who is at least
	214	+	24 eighteen (18) years of age and who has lived experience as a
	215	+	25 child within the child welfare system.
	216	+	26 (11) One (1) member appointed by the president pro tempore
	217	+	27 who is a juvenile probation officer.
	218	+	28 (12) The director of the department of child services.
	219	+	29 (13) A deputy director of the department of child services.
	220	+	30 (14) The chief of staff or director of the division of mental
	221	+	31 health and addiction.
	222	+	32 (b) The president pro tempore shall designate one (1) member
	223	+	33 appointed under subsection (a)(1)(A) to serve as a co-chair of the
	224	+	34 task force for the duration of the task force.
	225	+	35 (c) The speaker shall designate one (1) member appointed under
	226	+	36 subsection (a)(2)(A) to serve as a co-chair of the task force for the
	227	+	37 duration of the task force.
	228	+	38 (d) A member of the task force serves at the will of the
	229	+	39 member's appointing authority for the duration of the task force.
	230	+	40 Sec. 4. (a) The task force shall meet at the call of the co-chairs.
	231	+	41 (b) Twelve (12) members constitute a quorum.
	232	+	42 (c) The affirmative votes of at least a majority of the members
	233	+	EH 1273—LS 7382/DI 148 6
	234	+	1 of the task force are necessary for the task force to take official
	235	+	2 action other than to meet and take testimony.
	236	+	3 Sec. 5. (a) All task force meetings are open to the public in
	237	+	4 accordance with and subject to IC 5-14-1.5.
	238	+	5 (b) All task force records are subject to the requirements of
	239	+	6 IC 5-14-3.
	240	+	7 Sec. 6. The task force shall study the following topics:
	241	+	8 (1) The standards for child safety as it pertains to qualifying
	242	+	9 as a child in need of services.
	243	+	10 (2) The need for various types of child welfare services in
	244	+	11 Indiana.
	245	+	12 (3) The need for child welfare service providers in different
	246	+	13 geographic regions throughout Indiana.
	247	+	14 (4) Methods to assess the quality of child welfare services
	248	+	15 offered.
	249	+	16 (5) The reasonableness of time for a child in need of services
	250	+	17 to reach permanency.
	251	+	18 Sec. 7. The legislative services agency shall provide staff support
	252	+	19 to the task force.
	253	+	20 Sec. 8. (a) The task force shall submit two (2) reports to the
	254	+	21 executive director of the legislative services agency, in an electronic
	255	+	22 format under IC 5-14-6, for review by the interim study committee
	256	+	23 on child services.
	257	+	24 (b) A report described in subsection (a) must:
	258	+	25 (1) be submitted not later than October 15, 2026, and must
	259	+	26 include:
	260	+	27 (A) the topics reviewed by the task force; and
	261	+	28 (B) the task force's findings and recommendations;
	262	+	29 for the period beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30,
	263	+	30 2026; and
	264	+	31 (2) be submitted not later than October 15, 2027, and must
	265	+	32 include:
	266	+	33 (A) the topics reviewed by the task force; and
	267	+	34 (B) the task force's findings and recommendations;
	268	+	35 for the period beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30,
	269	+	36 2027.
	270	+	37 Sec. 9. This chapter expires December 31, 2027.
	271	+	EH 1273—LS 7382/DI 148 7
	272	+	COMMITTEE REPORT
	273	+	Mr. Speaker: Your Committee on Family, Children and Human
	274	+	Affairs, to which was referred House Bill 1273, has had the same under
	275	+	consideration and begs leave to report the same back to the House with
	276	+	the recommendation that said bill do pass.
	277	+	(Reference is to HB 1273 as introduced.)
	278	+	DEVON
	279	+	Committee Vote: Yeas 10, Nays 0
	280	+	_____
	281	+	COMMITTEE REPORT
	282	+	Mr. President: The Senate Committee on Family and Children
	283	+	Services, to which was referred House Bill No. 1273, has had the same
	284	+	under consideration and begs leave to report the same back to the
	285	+	Senate with the recommendation that said bill be AMENDED as
	286	+	follows:
	287	+	Page 5, line 21, delete "The deputy director" and insert "A deputy
	288	+	director".
	289	+	and when so amended that said bill do pass.
	290	+	(Reference is to HB 1273 as printed January 30, 2025.)
	291	+	WALKER G, Chairperson
	292	+	Committee Vote: Yeas 6, Nays 0.
	293	+	_____
	294	+	SENATE MOTION
	295	+	Mr. President: I move that Engrossed House Bill 1273 be amended
	296	+	to read as follows:
	297	+	Page 4, delete lines 28 through 29, begin a new paragraph and
	298	+	insert:
	299	+	"Sec. 1. (a) This chapter is subject to IC 2-5-1.2.
147	300		(b) As used in this chapter, "task force" refers to the child
148		-	welfare task force established by section 2 of this chapter.
149		-	Sec. 2. The child welfare task force is established.
150		-	Sec. 3. (a) The task force consists of the following twenty-two
151		-	(22) members, all of whom are voting members:
152		-	(1) Five (5) members of the senate, appointed as follows:
153		-	(A) Three (3) members appointed by the president pro
154		-	tempore, one (1) of whom serves as co-chair of the task
155		-	force.
156		-	(B) Two (2) members appointed by the minority leader.
157		-	(2) Five (5) members of the house of representatives,
158		-	appointed as follows:
159		-	(A) Three (3) members appointed by the speaker, one (1)
160		-	of whom serves as co-chair of the task force.
161		-	(B) Two (2) members appointed by the minority leader.
162		-	(3) One (1) member who is a judge appointed by the chief
163		-	justice of the supreme court.
164		-	(4) One (1) member appointed by the speaker who represents
165		-	HEA 1273 — Concur 5
166		-	a child placing agency (as defined in IC 31-9-2-17.5).
167		-	(5) One (1) member appointed by the president pro tempore
168		-	who either:
169		-	(A) is an in-home provider; or
170		-	(B) provides family preservation services (as defined in
171		-	IC 31-9-2-44.8).
172		-	(6) One (1) member appointed by the speaker who represents
173		-	a:
174		-	(A) child caring institution (as defined in IC 31-9-2-16.7);
175		-	or
176		-	(B) private secure facility (as defined in IC 31-9-2-96.5).
177		-	(7) One (1) member appointed by the president pro tempore
178		-	who is a group home (as defined in IC 31-9-2-48.5) provider.
179		-	(8) One (1) member appointed by the speaker who is an older
180		-	foster youth services provider.
181		-	(9) One (1) member appointed by the president pro tempore
182		-	who is a preventative provider that runs a child welfare
183		-	program (as defined in IC 31-26-3.5-1).
184		-	(10) One (1) member appointed by the speaker who is at least
	301	+	welfare task force established by section 2 of this chapter.".
	302	+	Page 5, line 1, delete "judge." and insert "judge appointed by the
	303	+	chief justice of the supreme court.".
	304	+	Page 5, line 2, after "member" insert "appointed by the speaker".
	305	+	EH 1273—LS 7382/DI 148 8
	306	+	Page 5, line 4, after "member" insert "appointed by the president
	307	+	pro tempore".
	308	+	Page 5, line 8, after "member" insert "appointed by the speaker".
	309	+	Page 5, line 12, after "member" insert "appointed by the president
	310	+	pro tempore".
	311	+	Page 5, line 14, after "member" insert "appointed by the speaker".
	312	+	Page 5, line 16, after "member" insert "appointed by the president
	313	+	pro tempore".
	314	+	Page 5, delete line 18, begin a new line block indented and insert:
	315	+	"(10) One (1) member appointed by the speaker who is at least
185	316		eighteen (18) years of age and who has lived experience as a
186		-	child within the child welfare system.
187		-	(11) One (1) member appointed by the president pro tempore
188		-	who is a juvenile probation officer.
189		-	(12) The director of the department of child services.
190		-	(13) A deputy director of the department of child services.
191		-	(14) The chief of staff or director of the division of mental
192		-	health and addiction.
193		-	(b) The president pro tempore shall designate one (1) member
194		-	appointed under subsection (a)(1)(A) to serve as a co-chair of the
195		-	task force for the duration of the task force.
196		-	(c) The speaker shall designate one (1) member appointed under
197		-	subsection (a)(2)(A) to serve as a co-chair of the task force for the
198		-	duration of the task force.
199		-	(d) A member of the task force serves at the will of the
200		-	member's appointing authority for the duration of the task force.
201		-	Sec. 4. (a) The task force shall meet at the call of the co-chairs.
202		-	(b) Twelve (12) members constitute a quorum.
203		-	(c) The affirmative votes of at least a majority of the members
204		-	of the task force are necessary for the task force to take official
205		-	action other than to meet and take testimony.
206		-	Sec. 5. (a) All task force meetings are open to the public in
207		-	accordance with and subject to IC 5-14-1.5.
208		-	HEA 1273 — Concur 6
209		-	(b) All task force records are subject to the requirements of
210		-	IC 5-14-3.
211		-	Sec. 6. The task force shall study the following topics:
212		-	(1) The standards for child safety as it pertains to qualifying
213		-	as a child in need of services.
214		-	(2) The need for various types of child welfare services in
215		-	Indiana.
216		-	(3) The need for child welfare service providers in different
217		-	geographic regions throughout Indiana.
218		-	(4) Methods to assess the quality of child welfare services
219		-	offered.
220		-	(5) The reasonableness of time for a child in need of services
221		-	to reach permanency.
222		-	Sec. 7. The legislative services agency shall provide staff support
223		-	to the task force.
224		-	Sec. 8. (a) The task force shall submit two (2) reports to the
225		-	executive director of the legislative services agency, in an electronic
226		-	format under IC 5-14-6, for review by the interim study committee
227		-	on child services.
228		-	(b) A report described in subsection (a) must:
229		-	(1) be submitted not later than October 15, 2026, and must
230		-	include:
231		-	(A) the topics reviewed by the task force; and
232		-	(B) the task force's findings and recommendations;
233		-	for the period beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30,
234		-	2026; and
235		-	(2) be submitted not later than October 15, 2027, and must
236		-	include:
237		-	(A) the topics reviewed by the task force; and
238		-	(B) the task force's findings and recommendations;
239		-	for the period beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30,
240		-	2027.
241		-	Sec. 9. This chapter expires December 31, 2027.
242		-	HEA 1273 — Concur Speaker of the House of Representatives
243		-	President of the Senate
244		-	President Pro Tempore
245		-	Governor of the State of Indiana
246		-	Date: Time:
247		-	HEA 1273 — Concur
	317	+	child within the child welfare system.".
	318	+	Page 5, line 19, after "member" insert "appointed by the president
	319	+	pro tempore".
	320	+	Page 5, delete lines 22 through 23, begin a new line block indented
	321	+	and insert:
	322	+	"(14) The chief of staff or director of the division of mental
	323	+	health and addiction.".
	324	+	Page 5, delete lines 32 through 34.
	325	+	Page 5, line 38, delete "at a meeting at which a quorum is present is"
	326	+	and insert "of the task force are".
	327	+	(Reference is to EHB 1273 as printed March 19, 2025.)
	328	+	ROGERS
	329	+	EH 1273—LS 7382/DI 148