HB 1257 IN

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Adds four members to the statewide child fatality review committee, one of whom is appointed by each of the following: (1) The speaker of the house of representatives. (2) The president pro tempore of the senate. (3) The minority leader of the house of representatives. (4) The minority leader of the senate. Provides that a court may grant postadoption contact privileges to the birth parent of a child if the child is at least one year of age (rather than two years of age, under current law). Adds information that must be included in the annual report of the department of child services (department) concerning child fatalities or near fatalities in Indiana that are the result of child abuse or neglect. Requires the department to promptly disclose to the public certain information regarding child fatalities or near fatalities. Allows the department, upon request, to provide additional information regarding cases of child fatalities or near fatalities subject to certain requirements. Provides that the obligation of the department to conduct a detailed assessment of a report of known or suspected child abuse or neglect does not apply if the report is screened out and referred to a law enforcement agency. Provides that the department: (1) shall disclose information regarding reported child abuse or neglect to a member of the United States Congress representing Indiana or a member of the Indiana general assembly (state legislator) upon request of the state legislator; (2) may release information to the news media to confirm, clarify, correct, or supplement information concerning reported child abuse or neglect that has been made public by a source other than the department; and (3) shall, upon request by the news media, report to the news media specified information regarding the death of a child whose death is suspected to be the result of child abuse or neglect. Provides that if the information disclosed or released by the department includes a record that is redacted to exclude specified information, the record is not confidential. Provides that the department may provide unredacted reports or material to: (1) a service provider that requires access to the unredacted reports or material to assess whether the service provider's services are suitable for the child; and (2) the attorney general or a prosecutor for purposes of a criminal investigation by the attorney general or prosecutor. Provides that the statutory limit on the department's provision of services to a parent, guardian, or custodian of a child who is the subject of a petition alleging the child to be a child in need of services (CHINS) applies: (1) regardless of whether the child has been removed from the home of the parent, guardian, or custodian; (2) regardless of whether the services are provided at the direction of a court or at the direction of the department; and (3) beginning on the date on which the CHINS petition is filed. Makes technical and conforming changes.

• Julie McGuire Republican · author
• Stacey Donato Republican · sponsor
• Tyler Johnson Republican · sponsor

1. Jan 5, 2026 Authored by Representative McGuire · lower
2. Jan 5, 2026 First reading: referred to Committee on Family, Children and Human Affairs · lower
3. Jan 5, 2026 Coauthored by Representative DeVon · lower
4. Jan 12, 2026 Representative Jackson C added as coauthor · lower
5. Jan 13, 2026 Representative Morris added as coauthor · lower
6. Jan 22, 2026 Committee report: amend do pass, adopted · lower
7. Jan 22, 2026 Representative Goss-Reaves added as coauthor · lower
8. Jan 22, 2026 Representative DeVon removed as coauthor · lower
9. Jan 27, 2026 Second reading: ordered engrossed · lower
10. Jan 28, 2026 Senate sponsors: Senators Donato, Johnson T · lower
11. Jan 28, 2026 Third reading: passed; Roll Call 132: yeas 93, nays 0 · lower
12. Jan 29, 2026 Referred to the Senate · lower
13. Feb 2, 2026 First reading: referred to Committee on Family and Children Services · upper
14. Feb 9, 2026 Committee report: amend do pass, adopted · upper
15. Feb 10, 2026 Senators Schmitt, Walker G added as cosponsors · upper
16. Feb 16, 2026 Senators Ford J.D., Qaddoura, Rogers added as cosponsors · upper
17. Feb 16, 2026 Second reading: ordered engrossed · upper
18. Feb 24, 2026 Returned to the House with amendments · upper
19. Feb 24, 2026 Third reading: passed; Roll Call 243: yeas 48, nays 0 · upper
20. Feb 25, 2026 Motion to concur filed · lower
21. Feb 26, 2026 House concurred with Senate amendments; Roll Call 390: yeas 84, nays 0 · lower
22. Feb 26, 2026 Signed by the Speaker · lower
23. Mar 4, 2026 Signed by the Governor · executive
24. Feb 27, 2026 Signed by the President Pro Tempore · upper
25. Feb 27, 2026 Signed by the President of the Senate · upper
26. Mar 4, 2026 Public Law 84 · lower