New senator chosen in caucus
Greg Goode will replace outgoing state Sen. Jon Ford in Senate District 38 after winning a Saturday morning caucus vote.
Sen. Jon Ford
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Senate Bill 180 reignites conversation about direct representation for CHINS, TPR proceedings
Indiana is one of just six states that does not require counsel for children in child welfare cases in any situation, according to the National Association of Counsel for Children. Although Indiana Code § 31-32-4-2 does give state court judges the discretion to appoint counsel for children in child welfare cases, stakeholders say the Hoosier State could be forced to implement a direct representation program either through lawsuits filed by national children’s rights organization or federal legislation that Congress is considering.
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Indiana state senator says he’ll resign, citing ‘new professional endeavors’
A longtime Indiana state senator announced Friday that he will resign from the chamber in mid-October to “pursue new professional endeavors.”
Legalizing online casinos lands backing of Indiana House committee chair
A rising Indiana lawmaker from Cass County will sponsor legislation to legalize online casino gambling and online lottery games, which would give Hoosiers the ability to play state lottery and casino games on their smartphones, tablets and desktop computers.
Op-ed: Providing legal representation to children in the welfare system
There is one area of law where the state of Indiana may intrude into your life, remove you from your home and place you in a private locked facility, all without providing an opportunity to consult with an attorney: our child welfare system.
Senator bucks legislative leadership, announces study of direct representation for kids in CHINS, TPR cases
Although the Legislative Council rejected a request to study the topic of providing attorneys to children in the child welfare system, Indiana state Sen. Jon Ford plans to keep pushing the matter by convening an independent study group to examine the issue.