All Roll Calls
Yes: 225 • No: 0
IndianaHB 1257Second Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2026)House
Child services matters.
Sponsored By: Julie McGuire (Republican)
Signed by Governor
familythe senatefamily and children services
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
More public facts on child deaths
Beginning July 1, 2026, DCS must give the public prompt facts about child deaths and near‑deaths from abuse or neglect. If the news media asks about a death, DCS must share known facts within 5 business days, or 10 for complex cases. DCS must post a public summary within 90 days after it finishes its case report. Each year, DCS posts a fuller fatality and near‑fatality report by December 31 and sends it to lawmakers by January 31. A "near fatality" means a severe child injury a doctor says is life‑threatening. The law also sets who serves on the statewide child fatality review committee. Required redactions protect privacy, and prosecutors are notified before extra details are released.
Shorter reunification window, services clarified
For petitions filed after June 30, 2025 and before July 1, 2026, courts limit reunification services to 15 months. For petitions filed after June 30, 2026, the limit is 12 months. A judge may add one 90‑day extension, and a second 90‑day extension only after an evidence hearing showing the parent has largely complied and the extra time helps the child. The court may extend if a parent was not given a fair chance to take part in services. Beginning July 1, 2026, the law lists what counts as reunification services, like counseling, substance use treatment, mental health care, domestic violence help, short‑term childcare, peer mentoring, visit help, screening, and transportation. It excludes services while the child lives in a DCS‑licensed institution or group home.
Earlier postadoption contact for kids
Beginning July 1, 2026, courts can allow postadoption contact when the child is at least 12 months old. The court must find a strong bond with the birth parent. Each adoptive parent must consent, and a postadoption contact agreement must be filed. The agency and CASA or GAL give input, and a child age 12 or older must consent.
Faster DCS response and intake rules
Beginning July 1, 2026, DCS starts an onsite check within 2 hours if a child is in imminent danger. For alleged abuse, DCS starts within 24 hours. For alleged neglect, DCS starts within 5 days. A report is "screened out" only if it lacks enough information, has no abuse or neglect claim, is a duplicate, or shows no current risk. The law also defines a "child welfare agency" to include DCS, providers paid by DCS, and people who help DCS investigate cases.
Prosecutors get hotline audio faster
Beginning July 1, 2026, child‑abuse hotline recordings stay confidential and normally need a court order. If a recording is the subject of a complaint to a prosecutor, the prosecutor can get it on written request without a court order.
More lawmaker and agency record access
Beginning July 1, 2026, DCS must give a state legislator requested information on child abuse or neglect within 20 business days. Upon request, DCS must provide unredacted records, including older records, and legislators may share them only for real government work to protect children. Juvenile court records are also available without a court order to the DCS attorney, authorized DCS and local staff, the Department of Correction, and the DCS ombudsman, and to legislators as allowed.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Julie McGuire
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Carolyn Jackson
Democratic • House
Daryl Schmitt
Republican • Senate
Fady Qaddoura
Democratic • Senate
Greg Walker
Republican • Senate
J.D. Ford
Democratic • Senate
Linda Rogers
Republican • Senate
Lori Goss-Reaves
Republican • House
Robert Morris
Republican • House
Stacey Donato
Republican • Senate
Tyler Johnson
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 2/26/2026
Roll Call 390 on HB1257.03.COMS.CON01
Yes: 84 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/24/2026
Roll Call 243 on HB1257.03.COMS
Yes: 48 • No: 0
House vote • 1/28/2026
Roll Call 132 on HB1257.02.COMH
Yes: 93 • No: 0 • Other: 2
Actions Timeline
Signed by the Governor
3/4/2026HousePublic Law 84
3/4/2026HouseSigned by the President Pro Tempore
2/27/2026SenateSigned by the President of the Senate
2/27/2026SenateSigned by the Speaker
2/26/2026HouseHouse concurred with Senate amendments; Roll Call 390: yeas 84, nays 0
2/26/2026HouseMotion to concur filed
2/25/2026HouseThird reading: passed; Roll Call 243: yeas 48, nays 0
2/24/2026SenateReturned to the House with amendments
2/24/2026SenateSecond reading: ordered engrossed
2/16/2026SenateSenators Ford J.D., Qaddoura, Rogers added as cosponsors
2/16/2026SenateSenators Schmitt, Walker G added as cosponsors
2/10/2026SenateCommittee report: amend do pass, adopted
2/9/2026SenateFirst reading: referred to Committee on Family and Children Services
2/2/2026SenateReferred to the Senate
1/29/2026HouseThird reading: passed; Roll Call 132: yeas 93, nays 0
1/28/2026HouseSenate sponsors: Senators Donato, Johnson T
1/28/2026HouseSecond reading: ordered engrossed
1/27/2026HouseRepresentative DeVon removed as coauthor
1/22/2026HouseRepresentative Goss-Reaves added as coauthor
1/22/2026HouseCommittee report: amend do pass, adopted
1/22/2026HouseRepresentative Morris added as coauthor
1/13/2026HouseRepresentative Jackson C added as coauthor
1/12/2026HouseCoauthored by Representative DeVon
1/5/2026HouseFirst reading: referred to Committee on Family, Children and Human Affairs
1/5/2026House
Bill Text
Enrolled House Bill (H)
House Bill (H)
House Bill (S)
Introduced House Bill (H)