Across the state, Hoosier families are bringing foster children into their homes and providing love and support to those who need it most.
This National Foster Care Month, Indiana House Republicans are highlighting new laws passed this year creating a bill of rights for foster youth and ensuring religious liberty in adoption and foster care proceedings.
The first new law, Senate Enrolled Act 15, requires the Indiana Department of Child Services to create, maintain and distribute a Foster Youth Bill of Rights so these young Hoosiers have a clear understanding of their rights and access to the resources they need to thrive.
The bill of rights lists their rights to food, shelter, safety, freedom from discrimination and the right to be informed on their own cases. These rights, through the new law, are to be periodically updated and published on the department's website, ensuring foster youth know exactly what their rights are at every step of the process.
The second law, House Enrolled Act 1389, follows legislation from the previous year to further protect parental rights by prohibiting government agencies from discriminating against potential foster families based on religious beliefs.
While the law clarifies religious beliefs can be considered when reviewing potential placement for the child, it also allows families facing discrimination to bring legal action against the agency.
This new law protects families from being unjustly judged through governmental overreach while also specifying that a government entity may consider whether a person involved in adoption or foster care matters shares the same religion or faith tradition as a child or the child's parent when considering placement.
Thank you to all foster families helping to care for Indiana's youth. To learn more about the foster process and see the Foster Youth Bill of Rights, visit in.gov/dcs.
