*HC1044*
Introduced Version
HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION No. ____
DIGEST OF INTRODUCED RESOL UTION
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION recognizing Guardian
Ad Litems and Court Appointed Special Advocates.
Garcia Wilburn, Andrade, Aylesworth,
Bartlett, Burton, Cash, Clere, Commons,
Dant Chesser, Engleman, Genda,
GiaQuinta, Gore, Harris, Heaton, Heine,
Jackson C, Johnson B, Moed, Moseley,
OBrien, Olthoff, Pack, Pfaff, Pierce K,
Pierce M, Porter, Pryor, Shackleford,
Slager, Smaltz, Smith V, Soliday, Summers
_______________________, read first time and referred to Committee on
20253066
2025 HC 1044/DI 140 Introduced
First Regular Session of the 124th General Assembly (2025)
HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION No. ____
1 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION recognizing Guardian
2 Ad Litems and Court Appointed Special Advocates.
3 Whereas, Guardian Ad Litems (GAL) and Court Appointed
4 Special Advocates (CASA) are members of the community who
5 give a voice to children who are victims of abuse and neglect in
6 Child in Need of Services (CHINS) cases in court;
7 Whereas, GAL and CASA volunteers are specially trained
8 community members who conduct investigations and advocate
9 on behalf of children in child welfare cases. They work under
10 the guidance of trained staff advocates across the state to
11 ensure that each child's best interests are represented in court;
12 Whereas, GAL and CASA volunteers review documents, talk
13 to other professionals involved in the case, meet with the child's
14 parents, and meet with the placement (relatives, a family friend,
15 foster parents, or other caregiver). The volunteer then prepares
16 a summary for the court and makes an independent and
17 objective recommendation to provide fact-based information in
18 order for the court to make best interest decisions;
19 Whereas, The Indiana State Office for GAL/CASA was
20 established in Indiana in 1990, and the state office certifies and
21 provides training and support to local GAL/CASA programs in
22 87 Indiana counties;
23 Whereas, Indiana has one of the largest networks of
24 GAL/CASA programs in the nation, and Hoosier volunteers
25 spoke for 18,478 children in cases during 2023; and
2025 HC 1044/DI 140 2
1 Whereas, March 4, 2025, was the annual GAL/CASA Day
2 celebration at the Indiana Statehouse, and this year's
3 celebration marked the 35th anniversary of the Indiana State
4 Office for GAL/CASA: Therefore,
5 Be it resolved by the House of Representatives
6 of the General Assembly of the State of Indiana,
7 the Senate concurring:
8 SECTION 1. That the Indiana General Assembly recognizes
9 the important work the GAL/CASA professionals and
10 volunteers do to give abused and neglected Hoosier children a
11 voice and congratulates the Indiana State Office for
12 GAL/CASA on its 35th anniversary.
13 SECTION 2. That the Principal Clerk of the House of
14 Representatives shall transmit copies of this resolution to State
15 Representative Victoria Garcia Wilburn for distribution.
2025 HC 1044/DI 140