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).]
‹ Prev All Indiana sections Next ›
Lexace provides legal information, not legal advice, and no attorney–client relationship is created. Statute text is provided for general information and may not reflect the most recent amendments; verify against the official state code.