Indiana House panel advances school cellphone crackdown, revised youth social media bills
Both measures now head to the full House after getting reworks in the Education Committee.
Child welfare
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‘They want to be regular kids’: Bill would create ‘concurrent planning’ that pursues reunification, adoption at the same time
Under HB 1310, a permanency plan must include at least one intended permanent arrangement other than reunification. That’s a process known as “concurrent planning,” or pursuing two reunification plans at once.
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‘Find a way to fix it’: DCS continues facing mounting criticism
From concerns about staffing to accusations that it’s failing in its mission to keep children safe, the Indiana Department of Child Services continues to face pressure from child welfare advocates, attorneys and those who have been part of the system.
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Halfway point: A look at key legislation in 2nd half of 2023 session
Here is an update on key legislation affecting not only lawyers, but all Hoosiers statewide. Updates are as of March 10.
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Coming home: Courts, families celebrate National Adoption Day with fanfare, emotion
Since 2012, the Indiana Supreme Court has authorized video and audio coverage of certain uncontested adoptions in recognition of National Adoption Month each November. Numerous trial courts have put together celebrations for families this year.
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Articles
As online child exploitation tips climb, Indiana governor calls for tougher controls on social media
New data show the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received 29,635 cyber tips in 2025 — a 38% increase over the prior year — and has already logged nearly 3,000 tips in early 2026.
Google, Meta, push back on addiction claims in landmark social media trial
Jurors in a landmark social media case that seeks to hold tech companies responsible for harms to children got their first glimpse into what will be a lengthy trial characterized by dueling narratives from the plaintiffs and the two remaining defendants, Meta and YouTube.
‘Losing the fight’: Parents urge action as Indiana House revisits youth social media restrictions
After hours of emotional testimony from frustrated parents and school leaders, an Indiana House committee is weighing whether to revive youth social media restrictions inside a wide-ranging education agency bill.
‘Hailey’s Law’ proposal among key issues as session hits final stretch
The proposal, named for a Fishers teen found dead after a weekslong disappearance, would create a new “pink alert” system that could be used when a child goes missing and there is evidence of grooming or coercive communication that led to the disappearance.
Indiana slashing rates for child care providers
Child care providers around Indiana will see reimbursement rate cuts of 10-35% as the state’s Family and Social Services Administration tries to close a $225 million funding gap.
CASA Day celebrates volunteers at Statehouse
Court-appointed special advocates directors and volunteers from across the state traveled to the Indiana Statehouse on Tuesday to celebrate the second CASA Day since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Citing religious, parental rights, Hoosier couple asks SCOTUS for relief after trans child was removed
An Indiana Catholic couple is asking U.S. Supreme Court to take their case after their transgender child was taken from their home because the parents would not use the child’s preferred pronouns.
No error in granting custody to grandmother instead of father, COA affirms
A father who lost custody of his children failed to convince the Court of Appeals of Indiana that the trial court erred by granting custody to the children’s grandmother.
2nd CHINS finding upheld, but contempt ruling against father reversed
A CHINS adjudication was not erroneous, the Court of Appeals of Indiana has ruled, but a contempt finding against a father was.
Kid-focused legislation: Proposed bills aim to improve Indiana child welfare laws
Despite 2024 being a short legislative session, Indiana lawmakers are considering dozens of bills specifically related to child welfare.
IN House committee approves bill to create new CHINS problem-solving court
The Indiana House Judiciary Committee has endorsed a bill that would establish a safe baby court as a type of problem-solving court.
DCS releases annual fatality report
Eight out of 10 people who caused the death of a child by abuse or neglect in Indiana in 2022 were the child’s parents, according to an annual report by the state’s child welfare agency.
Termination of mother’s rights reversed for insufficient service
Orders terminating a mother’s parental rights were void for lack of personal jurisdiction because the Indiana Department of Child Services didn’t properly serve the mother, the Court of Appeals of Indiana has ruled.
Kenworthy appointed to lead Youth Justice Oversight Committee
The Indiana Supreme Court has appointed a new chair of the Youth Justice Oversight Committee.
DCS employees sued in federal court in continued fallout from child death case
Two Indiana Department of Child Services case workers and a former director in LaPorte County are facing a federal lawsuit over a 4-year-old who was tortured and killed by his parents, the most recent development in the legal fallout from the child’s death.
DCS accused of not accounting for documents in case of 4-year-old’s torture death
The Indiana Department of Child Services either can’t find or has failed to produce some documents in a case involving a 4-year-old who was tortured and killed shortly after the department placed him in his parents’ home, a plaintiff’s filing alleges.
Courts and the Judiciary not meeting in 2023 as legislative study committees get underway
Indiana lawmakers are returning to the Statehouse this month to begin meeting in their interim study committees, but one group that won’t be gathering is the Interim Study Committee on Courts and the Judiciary.
‘A foster care system in crisis’: Lawsuit alleges DCS is failing to keep children safe
A federal lawsuit brought by Indiana foster children alleges the Indiana Department of Child Services is failing to keep children safe by not correcting systemic failures that have been known to state officials for decades.
Child Advocates CEO Booth to retire
Cindy Booth, the longtime leader of Child Advocates Inc., will retire next year after 30 years with the nonprofit.