Senate Committee advances bill tightening Children in Need of Service and Termination of Partental Rights

INDIANA—The Senate Appropriations Committee advanced House Bill 1605 on March 28, 2025. The bill proposes significant changes to juvenile law proceedings in Indiana related to Children in Need of Services (CHINS) and Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) cases

The bill, sponsored by Senators Liz Brown and Eric Koch and authored by Representative Julie McGuire, aims to streamline and tighten procedures.

Rep. McGuire introduced the bill, outlining its key provisions to prioritize the timely resolution of juvenile law matters. Notably, the bill:

• Restricts Waiver of Procedural Deadlines: This rule prohibits affirmative or implied waivers of procedural deadlines in CHINS and TPR proceedings while explicitly maintaining the courts’ ability to grant continuances for good cause.
• Expands Hearing Attendance: This bill grants individuals providing placement for a child in CHINS proceedings the right to attend all CHINS and TPR hearings related to that child.
• Strengthens Caregiver Rights: The law mandates that courts allow foster parents, long-term foster parents, and unlicensed kinship caregivers to intervene in CHINS proceedings if specific criteria are met.
• Limits Reunification Efforts: Sets forth limitations on reunification efforts outlined in dispositional decrees.
• Accelerates TPR Hearings: Requires courts to hold initial hearings on TPR petitions within 30 days of filing.
• Expands TPR Petition Filing: Allows intervenors in CHINS matters to file TPR petitions.

These changes are intended to expedite proceedings, ensure greater transparency, and prioritize the best interests of children involved in the juvenile justice system.

Following deliberation, the committee passed the bill by a vote of 10-3, sending it further into the legislative process.

The full text of HB 1605 can be accessed at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/bills/house/1605