in-20240731-IR-465240254FNA: The Department of Child Services (DCS) is soliciting public comment on amending rules at 465 IAC 4-1 concerning eligibility requirements for Title IV-E adoption assistance and state adoption subsidies, specifically the broadening of eligibility in response to changes in federal regulations and Indiana law through the passage of House Enrolled Act 1064-2024. The DCS seeks comment on the affected citations listed and any other provisions of Title 465 that may be affected by this rulemaking.

Notice of First Public Comment Period LSA Document #24-254 Sec. 11. "Hard to place child" means a child as defined in IC 31-9-2-51 who is: Sec. 22. (a) In order To qualify for any assistance under the Indiana adoption program, the adoptive child and adoptive parents shall meet all of the following general eligibility requirements: (b) An adoptive child is a special needs child if all of the following conditions are met: (c) Reasonable efforts need not be made to place the a child without adoption assistance if to do so would be against those efforts are not in the best interests of the child because of the existence of: (d) Each An adoptive parent, and every each member of the adoptive parent's household who is at least fourteen (14) years of age, must shall successfully complete a criminal history check, as defined in IC 31-9-2-22.5, and a check of any and all applicable sex or violent offender registries, as described in IC 11-8-8, in the time and manner as specified by the department. (e) Adoption assistance is not available if the criminal history check reveals that an adoptive parent or a household member: (f) An adoptive parent may request a waiver of any record based on the results of a criminal history check conducted under IC 31-9-2-22.5, applicable to the adoptive parent or any household member, that is as described in subsection (e)(6). A waiver may be requested, considered, and granted or denied under the procedure and criteria specified in the applicable department policy relating to evaluating background checks for adoptions. If a waiver request is granted, the department will not deny adoption assistance eligibility based solely on the existence of a record described in subsection (e)(6).