§ 31-34-20-1.6 — Limitation on provision of reunification services to parent, guardian, or custodian following removal of child

Indiana § 31-34-20-1.6

• Jurisdiction: Indiana
• Art. 34: JUVENILE LAW: CHILDREN IN NEED OF
• Ch. 20: Dispositional Decrees

Text

6. (a) This section applies to a child:
(1) who:
(A) is the subject of a child in need of services petition that is
filed after the child is removed from the care or custody of the
child's parent, guardian, or custodian under IC 31-34-2-3,
regardless of whether the child is returned to the care or
custody of the parent, guardian, or custodian at any time before
the entry of the dispositional decree; or
(B) is removed from the care or custody of the child's parent,
guardian, or custodian under the child's dispositional decree
under section 1(a)(3) of this chapter; and
(2) whose dispositional decree includes an order under section
1(a)(6) of this chapter requiring a parent, guardian, or custodian
of the child to complete reunification services.
(b) Except as provided in subsections (c) and (d), a court may not
provide for a child's parent, guardian, or custodian to receive
reunification services for more than:
(1) if the child is removed from the parent, guardian, or custodian
after June 30, 2025, and before July 1, 2026, fifteen (15) months;
or
(2) if the child is removed from the parent, guardian, or custodian
after June 30, 2026, twelve (12) months;
after the date of the child's removal under IC 31-34-2-3 or under the
child's dispositional decree, whichever is earlier.
(c) A court may extend the provision of reunification services to a
child's parent, guardian, or custodian for:
(1) a period of not more than ninety (90) days if the court finds
after an evidentiary hearing that:
(A) the parent, guardian, or custodian has substantially
complied with the child's dispositional decree; and
(B) the extension is in the child's best interests; and
(2) an additional period of not more than ninety (90) days
following an extension under subdivision (1) if the court:
(A) finds after an evidentiary hearing, by clear and convincing
evidence, that:
(i) the parent, guardian, or custodian has substantially
complied with the child's dispositional decree; and
(ii) the extension is in the child's best interests; and
(B) includes in the order for the extension:
(i) the facts upon which the court based the court's findings
under clause (A); and
(ii) the time period within which it is likely that reunification
of the child with the parent will occur.
(d) A court may extend the provision of reunification services to a
child's parent, guardian, or custodian if the court finds after an
evidentiary hearing that the child's parent, guardian, or custodian, by
no fault of the parent, guardian, or custodian, was not afforded an
adequate opportunity to substantially participate in the reunification
services.
(e) The following are not a basis for an extension under subsection
(c) or (d):
(1) Delay or failure by the parent, guardian, or custodian to
establish paternity or seek custody of the child.
(2) Failure of the parent, guardian, or custodian to substantially
participate in the reunification services due to the conduct of the
parent, guardian, or custodian.
(f) In determining whether to extend the provision of reunification
services to a child's parent under subsection (c) or (d), a court shall take
into consideration the status of any minor siblings of the child.

Legislative History

As added by P.L.179-2025, SEC.17.