CHAPTER 2. GENERAL POLICY PROVISIONS

IC 31-10-2

    

Chapter 2. General Policy Provisions

IC 31-10-2-1

Policy and purpose

    

Sec. 1. It is the policy of this state and the purpose of this title to:

        (1) recognize the importance of family and children in our
society;

        (2) recognize the responsibility of the state to enhance the
viability of children and family in our society;

        (3) acknowledge the responsibility each person owes to the
other;

        (4) strengthen family life by assisting parents to fulfill their
parental obligations;

        (5) ensure that children within the juvenile justice system are
treated as persons in need of care, protection, treatment, and
rehabilitation;

        (6) remove children from families only when it is in the child's
best interest or in the best interest of public safety;

        (7) provide for adoption as a viable permanency plan for
children who are adjudicated children in need of services;

        (8) provide a juvenile justice system that protects the public by
enforcing the legal obligations that children have to society and
society has to children;

        (9) use diversionary programs when appropriate;

        (10) provide a judicial procedure that:

            (A) ensures fair hearings;

            (B) recognizes and enforces the legal rights of children and
their parents; and

            (C) recognizes and enforces the accountability of children
and parents;

        (11) promote public safety and individual accountability by the
imposition of appropriate sanctions; and

        (12) provide a continuum of services developed in a cooperative
effort by local governments and the state.

As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.35-1998, SEC.3.