Provides that a court may grant postadoption contact privileges if the child is at least 12 months of age. (Current law requires the child to be at least two years of age.) Requires the department of child services (department) to consider certain factors when evaluating an out-of-home placement for a child in a child in need of services (CHINS) case. Provides that a placement with whom a child has resided with for at least 12 months, consecutively or nonconsecutively, is presumed to be an individual who has a significant relationship with the child. Requires a court to write a formal order in certain circumstances and include specific information in the order. Requires any party seeking a change in placement for certain children to file a motion with the court, provide notice to all persons affected, and inform all persons affected of the right to file a written objection within 15 days. (Current law only allows the department to file the motion for a change of placement.) Allows a court to rule on a party's motion for the change in placement without delay if exigent circumstances are alleged in the party's motion. Provides that, if a motion for temporary custody of a child has been filed by a petitioner for adoption, a court shall not change the child's placement until the motion for temporary custody has been ruled on. Allows for a petitioner for adoption to file a petition for temporary custody of a child sought to be adopted, and allows a court to grant the petition for temporary custody if the court makes certain findings. Provides that if the court declines to enter an ex-parte order granting the petitioner temporary custody, the court shall set the matter for a hearing not more than 15 days after the petitioner files the petition for temporary custody.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Senate Bill (S): 31-19-16-2, 31-19-16-9, 31-34-4-2, 31-34-6-2, 31-34-18-2, 31-34-19-6, 31-34-19-10, 31-35-2-8
Senate Bill (S): 31-19-16-2, 31-19-16-9, 31-34-4-2, 31-34-6-2, 31-34-18-2, 31-34-19-6, 31-34-19-10, 31-35-2-8
Engrossed Senate Bill (S): 31-19-2-13, 31-19-16-2, 31-19-16-9, 31-34-4-2, 31-34-6-2, 31-34-18-2, 31-34-19-6, 31-34-19-10, 31-34-23-6, 31-35-2-8