Provides that: (1) a foster parent is immune from civil and criminal liability for releasing or disclosing confidential information to a duly elected state government official for whom the information is relevant to the official's responsibility under the law to protect children from child abuse and neglect (elected official); (2) a confidentiality agreement entered into between a foster parent and the department of child services (department) may not prohibit the foster parent from releasing or disclosing information to an elected official; and (3) an individual's release or disclosure of information to an elected official is not a breach of the individual's duty under any agreement entered into by the individual in connection with the individual's role as a foster parent. Provides that the department may not: (1) take adverse action against a foster parent's license; or (2) remove a foster child from the home of a foster parent; solely on the basis of the foster parent having spoken to an elected official. Requires the department to provide a licensed foster parent with: (1) an information packet describing the foster parent's rights and the grievance filing process; and (2) a complete copy of the department's policy manual. Provides that the department may not remove a foster child from the home of a foster parent, unlicensed caregiver, or de facto custodian solely on the basis of the foster parent, unlicensed caregiver, or de facto custodian having filed a petition to adopt the child. Allows a child's adoptive parent to request that the department allow the child visitation with the child's sibling. Requires the department to provide notice of the department's decision regarding a request for sibling visitation not later than seven business days after the department receives the request. Provides that if: (1) a child is the subject of a petition alleging that the child is a child in need of services; and (2) a parent of the child has been convicted of committing one or more specified offenses against the child; there is a rebuttable presumption that it is in the child's best interests to prohibit the parent from having in-person contact with the child until a dispositional decree is entered or the petition is dismissed. Provides that if a hearing regarding a petition to terminate the parent-child relationship is not held before the statutorily required deadline, the court shall dismiss the petition without prejudice: (1) upon filing of a motion with the court by a party to the proceeding; and (2) absent good cause shown for the failure to hold the hearing before the statutorily required deadline.

Statutes affected:
Introduced House Bill (H): 31-28-5-3, 31-34-9-7, 31-35-2-6
House Bill (H): 31-9-2-131.7, 31-28-5-3, 31-35-2-6
Engrossed House Bill (H): 31-9-2-131.7, 31-28-5-3, 31-35-2-6