STATEHOUSE (Aug. 19, 2024) – Gov. Eric Holcomb recently ceremonially signed into law State Rep. Ryan Lauer's (R-Columbus) bill launching new problem-solving courts in Indiana focused on helping abused or neglected children up to age 3 and their families.
Lauer, a member of the House Family, Children and Human Affairs Committee, said this law, which took effect July 1, establishes Safe Baby Courts to oversee child in need of services or CHINS cases. Lauer said CHINS cases can take several months or longer to complete, which can leave children waiting too long in foster care.
"When dealing with a CHINS case, time is always of the essence to return them to their guardians or find a new home," Lauer said. "Through this new law, Indiana's courts have a new tool to expedite the process while focusing more on these families to help get them back on track."
According to Court Appointed Special Advocates, about one-third of children in foster care nationally are younger than 5, and babies are least likely among all age groups to exit foster care within a six-month period.
Lauer said Safe Baby Courts can help advance proceedings and connect families to community services and support to reduce the long-term effects of children being in foster care, and prevent the recurrence of abuse or neglect.
He added that Indiana already has different problem-solving courts in the state, including drug court, mental health court and others.
For more information on House Enrolled Act 1101, visit iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Ryan Lauer (R-Columbus) represents House District 59,
which includes a portion of Bartholomew County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
PHOTO CAPTION: Gov. Eric Holcomb ceremonially signs State Rep. Ryan Lauer's (R-Columbus) law to provide a new problem-solving court focused on children in need of services cases on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, at the Statehouse in Indianapolis. Pictured are (seated, from left) Lauer, Holcomb and State Sen. Eric Koch (R-Bedford), sponsor of the new law. Also pictured are bill co-authors State Reps. Michelle Davis (R-Whiteland) (standing, fourth from left), Julie McGuire (R-Indianapolis) (standing, fifth from left) and Maureen Bauer (D-South Bend) (standing, sixth from left) and Chief Justice Loretta Rush (standing, third from right). Lauer was also joined by his family and members of Champions for Children, Volunteers of America and The Villages of Indiana.
