Bill Text: IN HB1042 | 2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Committee on child services oversight.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-01-07 - First reading: referred to Committee on Family, Children and Human Affairs [HB1042 Detail]
Download: Indiana-2013-HB1042-Introduced.html
Citations Affected: IC 2-5-36; P.L.48-2012, SECTION 77.
Synopsis: Committee on child services oversight. Establishes the
committee on child services oversight to oversee the delivery of child
services in Indiana. Specifies that the committee exists until January 1,
2019. Repeals the law establishing the department of child services
interim study committee. (The introduced version of this bill was
prepared by the department of child services interim study committee.)
Effective: July 1, 2013.
January 7, 2013, read first time and referred to Committee on Family, Children and Human
Affairs.
PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type, additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in
Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
human services.
Chapter 36. Committee on Child Services Oversight
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "child in need of services" means a child described in IC 31-34-1.
Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "committee" refers to the committee on child services oversight established by section 4 of this chapter.
Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "department" refers to the department of child services established by IC 31-25-1-1.
Sec. 4. The committee on child services oversight is established.
Sec. 5. The committee consists of eleven (11) voting members appointed as follows:
(1) Two (2) members of the senate appointed by the president pro tempore, not more than one (1) of whom may be from the same political party.
(2) Two (2) members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker, not more than one (1) of whom may be from the same political party.
(3) The director of the department or the director's designee.
(4) The director of the division of mental health and addiction or the director's designee.
(5) The executive director of the prosecuting attorneys council or the executive director's designee.
(6) The executive director of the public defenders council of Indiana or the executive director's designee.
(7) A provider to the department of foster care, residential, or group home services, appointed by the president pro tempore.
(8) One (1) juvenile or family court judge, appointed by the speaker upon the recommendation of the chief justice of the supreme court.
(9) One (1) individual representing kindergarten through grade 12 education, appointed by the:
(A) president pro tempore during even-numbered years; and
(B) speaker during odd-numbered years;
upon the recommendation of the superintendent of public instruction.
Sec. 6. A vacancy on the committee shall be filled by the appointing authority.
Sec. 7. (a) The president pro tempore shall appoint a member of the committee described in section 5(1) of this chapter to serve as chairperson of the committee from January 1 through December 31 of odd-numbered years.
(b) The speaker shall appoint a member of the committee described in section 5(2) of this chapter to serve as chairperson of the committee from January 1 through December 31 of even-numbered years.
Sec. 8. The committee shall do the following:
(1) Review monthly reports from the department, as determined by the committee and including outcome reports.
(2) Review annual reports from the office of department of child services ombudsman established by IC 4-13-19-3, as determined by the committee and including outcome reports.
(3) Determine whether any contractor with the department has properly performed the terms of the contractor's contract.
(4) Study and make legislative and administrative
recommendations to improve the delivery of child services in
Indiana, including the following:
(A) Juvenile court commitment of juveniles to mental
health facilities.
(B) Restoration of IC 31-34-1-6 filing authority to
prosecuting attorneys.
(C) Specification of a new category under IC 31-34-1 for
at-risk children for which the following may apply:
(i) Ability for prosecuting attorneys to file and pursue a
case.
(ii) Probation personnel may enter information under
Title IV-E of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
671 et seq.) and use department funds to provide
necessary services.
(iii) Courts, the department, and probation personnel
may supervise the children.
(D) Specification of a new category under IC 31-34-1 for
status offender children.
(E) Consideration of methods of delivering department
services to children without labeling the children as
delinquent children.
(F) Composition and duties of regional service councils.
(G) Funding for tangible resources needed to keep children
with their families on an emergency basis.
(H) Consolidation of all bodies in existence on July 1, 2013,
that address child welfare issues into one (1) committee
with working subcommittees.
(I) Call center staffing, turnover, morale, cross training,
and other issues.
(J) Ongoing training of local child protection teams.
(K) Sufficiency and timeliness of service provider payment,
availability of services, use of regional service councils,
coordination of public and private services, and
availability and use of outcome data.
(L) An independent audit of the department's operations.
(M) Follow-up care for children after resolution of the
department's case.
(N) Follow-up care for children about whom a report of
suspected abuse or neglect is received but not substantiated
and who are in need of services, regardless of the absence
of substantiation.
(O) An independent assessment of the history and current
number of service providers and services offered on behalf
of the department in each county in Indiana.
(5) Study and make recommendations concerning any other
matter related to the department.
Sec. 9. The committee shall meet at least quarterly and at the
call of the chairperson.
Sec. 10. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), the committee
shall operate under the policies governing study committees
adopted by the legislative council.
(b) The committee may meet at any time during the calendar
year.
Sec. 11. This chapter expires January 1, 2019.
