Sec. 7. (a) In addition to the factors under section 6 of this chapter, if the court enters a dispositional decree regarding a child in need of services that includes an out-of-home placement, the court shall:
(1) order the department to continue exercising due diligence to identify all adult relatives of the child and adult siblings who may be considered as out-of-home placements for the child until the child has been in an out-of-home placement for at least twelve (12) months; and
(2) consider whether the child should be placed with the child's suitable and willing relative before considering other out-of-home placements for the child.
(b) A juvenile court shall consider placing a child described in subsection (a) with a relative related by blood, marriage, or adoption before considering any other placement of the child.
(c) Before a child is placed with a relative or de facto custodian, a home evaluation and background checks described in IC 31-34-4-2 are required.
[Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-4-15.3(f).]
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.17. Amended by P.L.70-2004, SEC.20; P.L.234-2005, SEC.182; P.L.123-2014, SEC.23; P.L.210-2019, SEC.11.
Structure Indiana Code
Title 31. Family Law and Juvenile Law
Article 34. Juvenile Law: Children in Need of Services
Chapter 19. Dispositional Hearing
31-34-19-1. Dispositional Hearing; Issues for Consideration
31-34-19-1.1. Mandatory Attendance at Predispositional Hearing by Report Preparer
31-34-19-1.3. Notice of Disposition of Hearing; Duties of Court
31-34-19-2. Admissibility of Reports
31-34-19-3. Civil Commitment; Child With a Mental Illness
31-34-19-6. Dispositional Decree; Considerations
31-34-19-7. Placement of Child; Relative; Evaluation; Background Checks
31-34-19-8. Provision of Copies of Dispositional Report