STATEHOUSE (May 10, 2017) — Gov. Eric Holcomb ceremonially signed State Rep. Mike Aylesworth’s (R-Hebron) bill into law Wednesday that will prevent valid adoptions from being wrongly voided.
House Enrolled Act 1048 repeals a statutory requirement that the Indiana Department of Child Services check the National Registry of Substantiated Cases of Child Abuse and Neglect when performing background checks on families looking to serve as foster parents or adopt.
In 2007, the requirement was passed in anticipation of the registry being established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, but the registry was ultimately not created.
“This guideline is impossible to meet for Hoosiers hoping to adopt a child in need,” Aylesworth said. “By identifying this obstacle and removing it, we are helping ensure legitimate adoptions won’t be ruled invalid on an obsolete technicality. It streamlines the adoption process for all concerned, especially for prospective parents and guardians trying to adopt.”
There are other registries available to DCS, which keeps a local record of child abuse and neglect cases, but there is not a national database available yet. All other requirements, including an Indiana State Police background check, would still be in effect as part of either guardianship proceedings or the adoption process in order to ensure that only qualified families are approved.
The new law is now in effect in Indiana. Visit iga.in.gov for more information about this law.
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State Rep. Mike Aylesworth (R-Hebron) represents House District 11,
which includes parts of Lake and Porter counties.
A high-resolution photo of Aylesworth can be downloaded by clicking here.
