Provides concurrent jurisdiction over adoption proceedings to the juvenile court in which a child in need of services (CHINS) proceeding, termination of parental rights (TPR) proceeding, or a juvenile delinquency proceeding is open or pending. Requires notice of a pending adoption be given to the juvenile court if the child to be adopted is the subject of an open or pending CHINS, TPR, or juvenile delinquency proceeding. Provides that the juvenile court receiving notice of a pending adoption has 10 days after receiving notice to exercise jurisdiction over the adoption, decline jurisdiction over the adoption, or take matters under consideration pending a hearing. Requires a petition for adoption to include whether the child to be adopted is the subject of an open or pending CHINS, TPR, or juvenile delinquency proceeding. Requires the probate court to order the adoption proceeding with all papers and files to be transferred to the juvenile court exercising jurisdiction over the CHINS, TPR, or juvenile delinquency proceeding if the juvenile court elects to exercise jurisdiction over the adoption.

Statutes affected:
Introduced House Bill (H): 31-19-2-6, 31-19-2.5-3