Bill Sponsor
Indiana House Bill 1257
Session 2026
Child services matters.
Became Law
Became Law
Signed by Governor on Mar 4, 2026
Sponsors
First Action
Jan 5, 2026
Latest Action
Mar 4, 2026
Origin Chamber
House
Type
Bill
Bill Number
1257
State
Indiana
Session
2026
Sponsorship by Party
Republican
Author
Republican
Sponsor
Republican
Sponsor
Republican
Cosponsor
Democrat
Cosponsor
Republican
Cosponsor
Democrat
Cosponsor
Republican
Cosponsor
House Votes (2)
Senate Votes (1)
Motion Text
HB 1257 - McGuire
House Roll Call Votes
Excused
Excused
Unknown
Johnson, B
Yes
Excused
Didn't Vote
Summary
Adds four members to the statewide child fatality review committee, one of whom is appointed by each of the following: (1) The speaker of the house of representatives. (2) The president pro tempore of the senate. (3) The minority leader of the house of representatives. (4) The minority leader of the senate. Provides that a court may grant postadoption contact privileges to the birth parent of a child if the child is at least one year of age (rather than two years of age, under current law). Adds information that must be included in the annual report of the department of child services (department) concerning child fatalities or near fatalities in Indiana that are the result of child abuse or neglect. Requires the department to promptly disclose to the public certain information regarding child fatalities or near fatalities. Allows the department, upon request, to provide additional information regarding cases of child fatalities or near fatalities subject to certain requirements. Provides that the obligation of the department to conduct a detailed assessment of a report of known or suspected child abuse or neglect does not apply if the report is screened out and referred to a law enforcement agency. Provides that the department: (1) shall disclose information regarding reported child abuse or neglect to a member of the United States Congress representing Indiana or a member of the Indiana general assembly (state legislator) upon request of the state legislator; (2) may release information to the news media to confirm, clarify, correct, or supplement information concerning reported child abuse or neglect that has been made public by a source other than the department; and (3) shall, upon request by the news media, report to the news media specified information regarding the death of a child whose death is suspected to be the result of child abuse or neglect. Provides that if the information disclosed or released by the department includes a record that is redacted to exclude specified information, the record is not confidential. Provides that the department may provide unredacted reports or material to: (1) a service provider that requires access to the unredacted reports or material to assess whether the service provider's services are suitable for the child; and (2) the attorney general or a prosecutor for purposes of a criminal investigation by the attorney general or prosecutor. Provides that the statutory limit on the department's provision of services to a parent, guardian, or custodian of a child who is the subject of a petition alleging the child to be a child in need of services (CHINS) applies: (1) regardless of whether the child has been removed from the home of the parent, guardian, or custodian; (2) regardless of whether the services are provided at the direction of a court or at the direction of the department; and (3) beginning on the date on which the CHINS petition is filed. Makes technical and conforming changes.
03/04/2026
Office of the Governor
Signed by the Governor
02/27/2026
Senate
Signed by the President Pro Tempore
02/27/2026
Senate
Signed by the President of the Senate
02/26/2026
House
Signed by the Speaker
02/26/2026
House
House concurred with Senate amendments; Roll Call 390: yeas 84, nays 0
02/25/2026
House
Motion to concur filed
02/24/2026
Senate
Returned to the House with amendments
02/24/2026
Senate
Third reading: passed; Roll Call 243: yeas 48, nays 0
02/16/2026
Senate
Second reading: ordered engrossed
02/16/2026
Senate
Senators Ford J.D., Qaddoura, Rogers added as cosponsors
02/10/2026
Senate
Senators Schmitt, Walker G added as cosponsors
02/09/2026
Senate
Committee report: amend do pass, adopted
02/02/2026
Senate
First reading: referred to Committee on Family and Children Services
01/29/2026
House
Referred to the Senate
01/28/2026
House
Senate sponsors: Senators Donato, Johnson T
01/28/2026
House
Third reading: passed; Roll Call 132: yeas 93, nays 0
01/27/2026
House
Second reading: ordered engrossed
01/22/2026
House
Representative Goss-Reaves added as coauthor
01/22/2026
House
Committee report: amend do pass, adopted
01/22/2026
House
Representative DeVon removed as coauthor
01/13/2026
House
Representative Morris added as coauthor
01/12/2026
House
Representative Jackson C added as coauthor
01/05/2026
House
Coauthored by Representative DeVon
01/05/2026
House
Authored by Representative McGuire
01/05/2026
House
First reading: referred to Committee on Family, Children and Human Affairs
Sources
Record Created
Jan 5, 2026 4:40:56 PM
Record Updated
Mar 5, 2026 5:09:41 PM