Ind. Code ch. 31-27-2

in effect

Ind. Code § 31-27-2-1 Duties of department of child services

Sec. 1. The department shall perform the following duties: (1) Administer the licensing and monitoring of child caring institutions, foster family homes, group homes, and child placing agencies in accordance with this article. (2) Ensure that a criminal history check of an applicant is conducted under IC 31-9-2.1-58 before issuing a license. (3) Provide for the issuance, denial, and revocation of licenses. (4) Cooperate with governing bodies of child caring institutions, foster family homes, group homes, and child placing agencies and their staffs to improve standards of child care. (5) Prepare at least biannually a directory of licensees, except for foster family homes, with a description of the program capacity and type of children served that will be distributed to the legislature, licensees, and other interested parties as a public document. (6) Deposit all license application fees collected under section 2 of this chapter in the department of child services child care fund established by IC 31-25-2-16. As added by P.L.145-2006, SEC.273. Amended by P.L.146-2006, SEC.26; P.L.1-2007, SEC.201; P.L.128-2012, SEC.93; P.L.145-2026, SEC.173.

Ind. Code § 31-27-2-2 Powers of department

Note: This version of section effective until 7-1-2027. See also following version of this section, effective 7-1-2027. Sec. 2. The department may do the following: (1) Prescribe forms for reports, statements, notices, and other documents required by this article or by the rules adopted under this article. (2) Increase public awareness of this article and the rules adopted under this article by preparing and publishing manuals and guides explaining this article and the rules adopted under this article. (3) Facilitate compliance with and enforcement of this article through the publication of materials under subdivision (2). (4) Prepare reports and studies to advance the purpose of this article. (5) Seek the advice and recommendations of state agencies whose information and knowledge would be of assistance in writing, revising, or monitoring rules developed under this article. These agencies, including the office of the attorney general, Indiana department of health, division of mental health and addiction, division of family resources, the state police department, and fire prevention and building safety commission, shall upon request supply necessary information to the department. (6) Make the directory of licensees available to the public for a charge not to exceed the cost of reproducing the directory. (7) Charge a reasonable processing fee for each license application and renewal as follows: (A) For a child caring institution or group home license, a fee not to exceed three dollars ($3) for each licensed bed based on total licensed bed capacity not to exceed a maximum fee of one hundred fifty dollars ($150). (B) For a child placing agency license, a fee not to exceed fifty dollars ($50). (8) Exercise any other regulatory and administrative powers necessary to carry out the functions of the department. As added by P.L.145-2006, SEC.273. Amended by P.L.128-2012, SEC.94; P.L.56-2023, SEC.300.

Ind. Code § 31-27-2-2 Powers of department

Note: This version of section effective 7-1-2027. See also preceding version of this section, effective until 7-1-2027. Sec. 2. The department may do the following: (1) Prescribe forms for reports, statements, notices, and other documents required by this article or by the rules adopted under this article. (2) Increase public awareness of this article and the rules adopted under this article by preparing and publishing manuals and guides explaining this article and the rules adopted under this article. (3) Facilitate compliance with and enforcement of this article through the publication of materials under subdivision (2). (4) Prepare reports and studies to advance the purpose of this article. (5) Seek the advice and recommendations of state agencies whose information and knowledge would be of assistance in writing, revising, or monitoring rules developed under this article. These agencies, including the office of the attorney general, Indiana department of health, division of mental health and addiction, division of family resources, the state police department, and department of homeland security, shall upon request supply necessary information to the department. (6) Make the directory of licensees available to the public for a charge not to exceed the cost of reproducing the directory. (7) Charge a reasonable processing fee for each license application and renewal as follows: (A) For a child caring institution or group home license, a fee not to exceed three dollars ($3) for each licensed bed based on total licensed bed capacity not to exceed a maximum fee of one hundred fifty dollars ($150). (B) For a child placing agency license, a fee not to exceed fifty dollars ($50). (8) Exercise any other regulatory and administrative powers necessary to carry out the functions of the department. As added by P.L.145-2006, SEC.273. Amended by P.L.128-2012, SEC.94; P.L.56-2023, SEC.300; P.L.152-2026, SEC.467.

Ind. Code § 31-27-2-3 Foster family home application fee prohibition

Sec. 3. The department may not charge an application fee for a foster family home. As added by P.L.145-2006, SEC.273.

Ind. Code § 31-27-2-4 Rules; establishment of standards

Note: This version of section effective until 7-1-2027. See also following version of this section, effective 7-1-2027. Sec. 4. (a) The department shall adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 concerning the licensing and inspection of: (1) child caring institutions, foster family homes, group homes, and child placing agencies after consultation with the Indiana department of health; and (2) child caring institutions and group homes that are licensed for infants and toddlers after consultation with the division of family resources. (b) The rules adopted under subsection (a) shall be applied by the department in the licensing and inspection of applicants for a license and licensees under this article. (c) The rules adopted under IC 4-22-2 must establish minimum standards for the care and treatment of children in a secure private facility. (d) The rules described in subsection (c) must include standards governing the following: (1) Admission criteria. (2) General physical and environmental conditions. (3) Services and programs to be provided to confined children. (4) Procedures for ongoing monitoring and discharge planning. (5) Procedures for the care and control of confined persons that are necessary to ensure the health, safety, and treatment of confined children. (e) The department shall license a facility as a secure private facility if the facility: (1) meets the minimum standards required under subsection (c); (2) provides a continuum of care and services; and (3) is licensed under IC 31-27-3. (f) A waiver of the rules may not be granted for treatment and reporting requirements. (g) Rules that the fire prevention and building safety commission adopts under IC 22-13-2-2: (1) establish the minimum building and fire safety requirements applicable to structures covered by this article; and (2) take precedence over conflicting rules as provided for in IC 22-13-2-3. (h) The department may not adopt rules regulating the same subject matter as rules adopted by the fire prevention and building safety commission. As added by P.L.145-2006, SEC.273. Amended by P.L.131-2009, SEC.35; P.L.162-2011, SEC.22; P.L.128-2012, SEC.95; P.L.56-2023, SEC.301; P.L.93-2024, SEC.204; P.L.1-2025, SEC.223; P.L.28-2026, SEC.38.

Ind. Code § 31-27-2-4 Rules; establishment of standards

Note: This version of section effective 7-1-2027. See also preceding version of this section, effective until 7-1-2027. Sec. 4. (a) The department shall adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 concerning the licensing and inspection of: (1) child caring institutions, foster family homes, group homes, and child placing agencies after consultation with the: (A) Indiana department of health; and (B) department of homeland security; and (2) child caring institutions and group homes that are licensed for infants and toddlers after consultation with the division of family resources. (b) The rules adopted under subsection (a) shall be applied by the department in the licensing and inspection of applicants for a license and licensees under this article. (c) The rules adopted under IC 4-22-2 must establish minimum standards for the care and treatment of children in a secure private facility. (d) The rules described in subsection (c) must include standards governing the following: (1) Admission criteria. (2) General physical and environmental conditions. (3) Services and programs to be provided to confined children. (4) Procedures for ongoing monitoring and discharge planning. (5) Procedures for the care and control of confined persons that are necessary to ensure the health, safety, and treatment of confined children. (e) The department shall license a facility as a secure private facility if the facility: (1) meets the minimum standards required under subsection (c); (2) provides a continuum of care and services; and (3) is licensed under IC 31-27-3. (f) A waiver of the rules may not be granted for treatment and reporting requirements. (g) Rules that the department of homeland security adopts under IC 22-13-2-2: (1) establish the minimum building and fire safety requirements applicable to structures covered by this article; and (2) take precedence over conflicting rules as provided for in IC 22-13-2-3. (h) The department may not adopt rules regulating the same subject matter as rules adopted by the department of homeland security. As added by P.L.145-2006, SEC.273. Amended by P.L.131-2009, SEC.35; P.L.162-2011, SEC.22; P.L.128-2012, SEC.95; P.L.56-2023, SEC.301; P.L.93-2024, SEC.204; P.L.1-2025, SEC.223; P.L.28-2026, SEC.38; P.L.152-2026, SEC.468.

Ind. Code § 31-27-2-5 Monitoring of licensed entities

Sec. 5. (a) The department shall monitor the entities licensed under this article for continued compliance with this article and the rules adopted by the department, including conducting the following: (1) Onsite inspections, record reading, observation, and interviewing. (2) An onsite licensing study at least one (1) time a year in announced or unannounced visits. (b) The department is entitled to access to the premises, personnel, children in care, and records, including case records, foster care records, personnel files, corporate and fiscal records, and board minutes of the licensee. Access shall also be provided to personnel from other state agencies or other persons who provide inspections at the request of the department. As added by P.L.145-2006, SEC.273.

Ind. Code § 31-27-2-6 Investigation of complaints

Sec. 6. The department shall investigate complaints to determine possible noncompliance with the rules adopted by the department. A licensee is entitled to add comments concerning a complaint to the licensing file. The department shall consider all formal complaints against a licensee before a license may be renewed. As added by P.L.145-2006, SEC.273.

Ind. Code § 31-27-2-7 Child caring institutions and group homes operated by churches and religious ministries

Note: This version of section effective until 7-1-2027. See also following version of this section, effective 7-1-2027. Sec. 7. (a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), the department shall exempt from licensure a child caring institution and a group home operated by a church or religious ministry that is a religious organization exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (as defined in IC 6-3-1-11) and that does not: (1) accept for care: (A) a child who is a delinquent child under IC 31-37-1-1 or IC 31-37-2-1; or (B) a child who is a child in need of services under IC 31-34-1-1 through IC 31-34-1-9; or (2) operate a residential facility that provides child care on a twenty-four (24) hour basis for profit. (b) The department shall adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to govern the inspection of a child caring institution and a group home operated by a church or religious ministry with regard to sanitation. (c) The fire prevention and building safety commission shall adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to govern the inspection of a child caring institution and a group home operated by a church or religious ministry under this section. The rules must provide standards for fire alarms and fire drills. (d) A child caring institution and a group home operated by a church or religious ministry under this section shall comply with the rules established by the department and the fire prevention and building safety commission under this section. As added by P.L.145-2006, SEC.273.

Ind. Code § 31-27-2-7 Child caring institutions and group homes operated by churches and religious ministries

Note: This version of section effective 7-1-2027. See also preceding version of this section, effective until 7-1-2027. Sec. 7. (a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), the department shall exempt from licensure a child caring institution and a group home operated by a church or religious ministry that is a religious organization exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (as defined in IC 6-3-1-11) and that does not: (1) accept for care: (A) a child who is a delinquent child under IC 31-37-1-1 or IC 31-37-2-1; or (B) a child who is a child in need of services under IC 31-34-1-1 through IC 31-34-1-9; or (2) operate a residential facility that provides child care on a twenty-four (24) hour basis for profit. (b) The department shall adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to govern the inspection of a child caring institution and a group home operated by a church or religious ministry with regard to sanitation. (c) The department of homeland security shall adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to govern the inspection of a child caring institution and a group home operated by a church or religious ministry under this section. The rules must provide standards for fire alarms and fire drills. (d) A child caring institution and a group home operated by a church or religious ministry under this section shall comply with the rules established by the department and the department of homeland security under this section. As added by P.L.145-2006, SEC.273. Amended by P.L.152-2026, SEC.469.

Ind. Code § 31-27-2-8 Granting of variances and waivers

Note: This version of section amended by P.L.145-2026, SEC.174, effective 7-1-2026. See also following version of this section amended by P.L.152-2026, SEC.470, effective 7-1-2027. Sec. 8. (a) Except as provided in subsection (f), the department may grant a variance or waiver of a rule governing child caring institutions, foster family homes, group homes, or child placing agencies. A variance or waiver granted under this section must promote statewide practices and must protect the rights of persons affected by this article. (b) The department may grant a variance to a rule if an applicant for a license or a licensee under this article does the following: (1) Submits to the department a written request for the variance in the form and manner specified by the department. (2) Documents that compliance with an alternative method of compliance approved by the department will not be adverse to the health, safety, or welfare of a child receiving services from the applicant for the variance, as determined by the department. (c) A variance granted under subsection (b) must be conditioned upon compliance with the alternative method approved by the department. Noncompliance constitutes the violation of a rule of the department and may be the basis for revoking the variance. (d) The department may grant a waiver of a rule if an applicant for a license or a licensee under this article does the following: (1) Submits to the department a written request for the waiver in the form and manner specified by the department. (2) Documents that compliance with the rule specified in the application for the waiver will create an undue hardship on the applicant for the waiver, as determined by the department. (3) Documents that the applicant for the waiver will be in substantial compliance with the rules adopted by the department after the waiver is granted, as determined by the department. (4) Documents that noncompliance with the rule specified in the application for a waiver will not be adverse to the health, safety, or welfare of a child receiving services from the applicant for the waiver, as determined by the department. (e) Except for a variance or waiver of a rule governing foster family homes, a variance or waiver of a rule under this section that conflicts with a building rule or fire safety rule adopted by the fire prevention and building safety commission is not effective until the variance or waiver is approved by the fire prevention and building safety commission. (f) A waiver may not be granted for an applicant who has been convicted of a nonwaivable offense, as defined in IC 31-9-2.1-168. As added by P.L.145-2006, SEC.273. Amended by P.L.183-2017, SEC.13; P.L.145-2026, SEC.174.

Ind. Code § 31-27-2-8 Granting of variances and waivers

Note: This version of section amended by P.L.152-2026, SEC.470, effective 7-1-2027. See also preceding version of this section amended by P.L.145-2026, SEC.174, effective 7-1-2026. Sec. 8. (a) Except as provided in subsection (f), the department may grant a variance or waiver of a rule governing child caring institutions, foster family homes, group homes, or child placing agencies. A variance or waiver granted under this section must promote statewide practices and must protect the rights of persons affected by this article. (b) The department may grant a variance to a rule if an applicant for a license or a licensee under this article does the following: (1) Submits to the department a written request for the variance in the form and manner specified by the department. (2) Documents that compliance with an alternative method of compliance approved by the department will not be adverse to the health, safety, or welfare of a child receiving services from the applicant for the variance, as determined by the department. (c) A variance granted under subsection (b) must be conditioned upon compliance with the alternative method approved by the department. Noncompliance constitutes the violation of a rule of the department and may be the basis for revoking the variance. (d) The department may grant a waiver of a rule if an applicant for a license or a licensee under this article does the following: (1) Submits to the department a written request for the waiver in the form and manner specified by the department. (2) Documents that compliance with the rule specified in the application for the waiver will create an undue hardship on the applicant for the waiver, as determined by the department. (3) Documents that the applicant for the waiver will be in substantial compliance with the rules adopted by the department after the waiver is granted, as determined by the department. (4) Documents that noncompliance with the rule specified in the application for a waiver will not be adverse to the health, safety, or welfare of a child receiving services from the applicant for the waiver, as determined by the department. (e) Except for a variance or waiver of a rule governing foster family homes, a variance or waiver of a rule under this section that conflicts with a building rule or fire safety rule adopted by the department of homeland security is not effective until the variance or waiver is approved by the department of homeland security. (f) A waiver may not be granted for an applicant who has been convicted of a nonwaivable offense, as defined in IC 31-9-2-84.8. As added by P.L.145-2006, SEC.273. Amended by P.L.183-2017, SEC.13; P.L.152-2026, SEC.470.

Ind. Code § 31-27-2-9 Expiration of variances and waivers

Sec. 9. A waiver or variance granted under section 8 of this chapter and a waiver or variance renewed under section 10 of this chapter expires on the earliest of the following: (1) The date when the license affected by the waiver or variance expires. (2) The date set by the department for the expiration of the waiver or variance. (3) The occurrence of the event set by the department for the expiration of the waiver or variance. (4) Four (4) years after the date that the waiver or variance becomes effective. As added by P.L.145-2006, SEC.273.

Ind. Code § 31-27-2-10 Renewal of variances and waivers

Note: This version of section effective until 7-1-2027. See also following version of this section, effective 7-1-2027. Sec. 10. (a) If the department determines that a waiver or variance expiring under section 9 of this chapter will continue to serve the public interest, the department may do the following: (1) Renew the waiver or variance without modifications. (2) Renew and modify the waiver or variance as needed to promote statewide practices and to protect the rights of persons affected by this chapter. (b) Before taking an action under subsection (a), the department may require a licensee under this article to do the following: (1) Apply for the renewal of a waiver or variance on the form specified by the department. (2) Provide the information required by the department. (c) Except for a variance or waiver of a rule governing foster family homes, before taking an action under subsection (a), the department must obtain the approval of the fire prevention and building safety commission for the action if either of the following occurs: (1) The fire prevention and building safety commission substantially changes a building rule or fire safety rule affected by the waiver or variance after the date the commission last approved the waiver or variance. (2) The department substantially modifies any part of a waiver or variance that conflicts with a building rule or fire safety rule adopted by the fire prevention and building safety commission. As added by P.L.145-2006, SEC.273.

Ind. Code § 31-27-2-10 Renewal of variances and waivers

Note: This version of section effective 7-1-2027. See also preceding version of this section, effective until 7-1-2027. Sec. 10. (a) If the department determines that a waiver or variance expiring under section 9 of this chapter will continue to serve the public interest, the department may do the following: (1) Renew the waiver or variance without modifications. (2) Renew and modify the waiver or variance as needed to promote statewide practices and to protect the rights of persons affected by this chapter. (b) Before taking an action under subsection (a), the department may require a licensee under this article to do the following: (1) Apply for the renewal of a waiver or variance on the form specified by the department. (2) Provide the information required by the department. (c) Except for a variance or waiver of a rule governing foster family homes, before taking an action under subsection (a), the department must obtain the approval of the department of homeland security, or if applicable, the state building commissioner, for the action if either of the following occurs: (1) The department of homeland security or state building commissioner changes a building requirement or fire safety rule adopted by the department of homeland security affected by the waiver or variance after the date the department of homeland security or state building commissioner last approved the waiver or variance. (2) The department substantially modifies any part of a waiver or variance that conflicts with a building rule or fire safety rule adopted by the department of homeland security. As added by P.L.145-2006, SEC.273. Amended by P.L.152-2026, SEC.471.

Ind. Code § 31-27-2-11 Revocation of variances and waivers

Sec. 11. (a) If a licensee under this article violates a condition of a waiver or variance under this chapter, the department may issue an order revoking the waiver or variance before the waiver or variance expires under section 9 of this chapter. (b) If a waiver or variance is revoked under subsection (a), the licensee is entitled to notice and an opportunity for a hearing as provided under this article. As added by P.L.145-2006, SEC.273.

Ind. Code § 31-27-2-12 Statement of rights and responsibilities of foster parent

Sec. 12. (a) The department shall, in collaboration with: (1) current foster parents; (2) child placing agencies; and (3) other individuals and organizations with expertise in foster care services; develop and update periodically a statement that describes the rights of a foster parent that must be known as the "foster parent bill of rights". (b) The statement required by subsection (a) must summarize the rights and responsibilities of a foster parent who is providing care and supervision to a child in a foster family home. (c) The statement required by subsection (a) must be: (1) distributed to current and prospective foster parents; and (2) made available on the department's Internet web site. As added by P.L.13-2018, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 31-27-2-13 Modification or suspension of medical examination requirement during declared disaster emergency

Sec. 13. If the governor declares a state of disaster emergency under IC 10-14-3-12, the director of the department, or the director's designee, may modify or suspend enforcement of a statute or rule specifying a time within which a foster parent must provide for a child to be examined by a physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse after the child's placement in the foster parent's home. As added by P.L.214-2021, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.9-2022, SEC.64.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/31Fetched: 10/17/2026