Lauer: Bill to help place foster children in permanent homes faster heads to governor

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 29, 2024) – A bill sponsored by State Rep. Ryan Lauer (R-Columbus) to help vulnerable children find permanent homes through adoption or guardianship more quickly is on its way to the governor's desk where it could be signed into law.

According to the Indiana Department of Child Services, the priority in a child in need of services case, which involves neglected or abused children, is reunification with the parents. Under current law, there is a narrow list of exceptions when family reunification would not be in the child's best interest and the state must pursue alternative placement. Lauer said the list doesn't currently include parents who are registered as a sex or violent offender or sexually abused their children, and that's why he's supporting legislation to change that and better protect vulnerable children.

"We know that family reunification should be the top priority in most child welfare cases, but there are special exceptions that need to be made when it's not in the best interest of the child," said Lauer, a member of the House Family, Children and Human Affairs Committee. "This bill will expand the state's list of exceptions, which allow courts to bypass reunification in extreme cases so that the child can be moved to a safe and permanent home more quickly."

Senate Enrolled Act 171 would allow DCS to bypass family reunification if a parent is a registered sex or violent offender, if the parent sexually abused their child, or if the child was the was the subject of two previous CHINS cases. Lauer said this change would allow courts to move more quickly toward other permanency options for the child and reduce the time a child spends in foster care.

Currently, courts can only bypass reunification if the child has been abandoned by its parents, if the parent has been convicted of murder, battery or neglect or already lost their parental rights in a previous court case.

Senate Enrolled Act 171 now heads to the governor to be signed into law. To follow legislation considered for new laws by the governor, visit in.gov/gov/newsroom/2024-bill-watch.

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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.