CHAPTER 21. REVIEW OF DISPOSITIONAL DECREES; FORMAL REVIEW HEARINGS
IC 31-34-21
Chapter 21. Review of Dispositional Decrees; Formal ReviewHearings
IC 31-34-21-1
Progress reports; procedure for modification of decree
Sec. 1. (a) At any time after the date of an original dispositionaldecree, the juvenile court may order the department to file a reporton the progress made in implementing the decree.
(b) The juvenile court shall order the department to file a reportevery three (3) months after the dispositional decree is entered on theprogress made in implementing the decree.
(c) If, after reviewing the report, the juvenile court seeks toconsider modification of the dispositional decree, the juvenile courtshall proceed under IC 31-34-23.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.17. Amended by P.L.145-2006,SEC.313; P.L.146-2006, SEC.51.
IC 31-34-21-2
Periodic case review
Sec. 2. (a) The case of each child in need of services under thesupervision of the department must be reviewed at least once everysix (6) months, or more often, if ordered by the court.
(b) The first of these periodic case reviews must occur:
(1) at least six (6) months after the date of the child's removalfrom the child's parent, guardian, or custodian; or
(2) at least six (6) months after the date of the dispositionaldecree;
whichever comes first.
(c) Each periodic case review must be conducted by the juvenilecourt in a formal court hearing.
(d) The court may perform a periodic case review any time aftera progress report is filed as described in section 1 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.17. Amended by P.L.35-1998, SEC.9;P.L.145-2006, SEC.314; P.L.146-2006, SEC.52; P.L.146-2008,SEC.605.
IC 31-34-21-3
Progress report required before case review
Sec. 3. Before a case review under section 2 of this chapter, thedepartment shall prepare a report in accordance with IC 31-34-22 onthe progress made in implementing the dispositional decree.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.17. Amended by P.L.145-2006,SEC.315; P.L.146-2008, SEC.606.
IC 31-34-21-4
Notice of case review; testimony in periodic case review
Sec. 4. (a) Except as provided in subsection (f), at least seven (7)days before the periodic case review, including a case review that isa permanency hearing under section 7 of this chapter, the department
shall provide notice of the review to each of the following:
(1) The child's parent, guardian, or custodian.
(2) An attorney who has entered an appearance on behalf of thechild's parent, guardian, or custodian.
(3) A prospective adoptive parent named in a petition foradoption of the child filed under IC 31-19-2 if:
(A) each consent to adoption of the child that is requiredunder IC 31-19-9-1 has been executed in the form andmanner required by IC 31-19-9 and filed with the countyoffice;
(B) the court having jurisdiction in the adoption case hasdetermined under any applicable provision of IC 31-19-9that consent to adoption is not required from a parent,guardian, or custodian; or
(C) a petition to terminate the parent-child relationshipbetween the child and any parent who has not executed awritten consent to adoption under IC 31-19-9-2 has beenfiled under IC 31-35 and is pending.
(4) The child's foster parent or long term foster parent.
(5) Any other person who:
(A) the department has knowledge is currently providingcare for the child; and
(B) is not required to be licensed under IC 12-17.2 orIC 31-27 to provide care for the child.
(6) Any other suitable relative or person whom the departmentknows has had a significant or caretaking relationship to thechild.
(b) The department shall present proof of service of the noticerequired by subsection (a) at the periodic case review.
(c) The department shall provide notices under this section asprovided in IC 31-32-1-4.
(d) The court shall provide to a person described in subsection (a)an opportunity to be heard and to make any recommendations to thecourt in a periodic case review, including a permanency hearingunder section 7 of this chapter. The right to be heard and to makerecommendations under this subsection includes:
(1) the right of a person described in subsection (a) to submit awritten statement to the court that, if served upon all parties tothe child in need of services proceeding and the personsdescribed in subsection (a), may be made a part of the courtrecord; and
(2) the right to present oral testimony to the court and crossexamine any of the witnesses at the hearing.
(e) Except as provided in subsection (f), this section does notexempt the department from sending a notice of the review to eachparty to the child in need of services proceeding.
(f) If the parent of an abandoned child does not disclose theparent's name as allowed by IC 31-34-2.5-1(c), the parent is notrequired to be notified of a proceeding described in subsection (a).
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.17. Amended by P.L.35-1998, SEC.10;
P.L.133-2000, SEC.6; P.L.217-2001, SEC.9; P.L.152-2003, SEC.2;P.L.145-2006, SEC.316; P.L.72-2008, SEC.3.
IC 31-34-21-4.5
Foster parent's intervention
Sec. 4.5. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) a foster parent,long term foster parent, or a person who has been a foster parent maypetition the court to request intervention as a party to a proceedingdescribed in this chapter.
(b) A foster parent who has been:
(1) the subject of a substantiated report of child abuse orneglect; or
(2) convicted of a felony listed in IC 31-27-4-13;
may not petition the court to intervene under this section.
(c) A court may grant a petition filed under this section if thecourt determines that intervention of the petitioner is in the bestinterests of the child.
As added by P.L.133-2000, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.152-2003,SEC.3; P.L.145-2006, SEC.317.
IC 31-34-21-4.6
"Long term foster parent"
Sec. 4.6. As used in this section, "long term foster parent" meansa foster parent who has provided care and supervision for a child forat least:
(1) the twelve (12) most recent months; or
(2) fifteen (15) months of the most recent twenty-two (22)months.
As added by P.L.152-2003, SEC.4.
IC 31-34-21-5
Determination; findings
Sec. 5. (a) The court shall determine:
(1) whether the child's case plan, services, and placement meetthe special needs and best interests of the child;
(2) whether the department has made reasonable efforts toprovide family services; and
(3) a projected date for the child's return home, the child'sadoption placement, the child's emancipation, or theappointment of a legal guardian for the child under section7.5(c)(1)(E) of this chapter.
(b) The determination of the court under subsection (a) must bebased on findings written after consideration of the following:
(1) Whether the department, the child, or the child's parent,guardian, or custodian has complied with the child's case plan.
(2) Written documentation containing descriptions of:
(A) the family services that have been offered or provided tothe child or the child's parent, guardian, or custodian;
(B) the dates during which the family services were offeredor provided; and (C) the outcome arising from offering or providing thefamily services.
(3) The extent of the efforts made by the department to offerand provide family services.
(4) The extent to which the parent, guardian, or custodian hasenhanced the ability to fulfill parental obligations.
(5) The extent to which the parent, guardian, or custodian hasvisited the child, including the reasons for infrequent visitation.
(6) The extent to which the parent, guardian, or custodian hascooperated with the department.
(7) The child's recovery from any injuries suffered beforeremoval.
(8) Whether any additional services are required for the child orthe child's parent, guardian, or custodian and, if so, the natureof those services.
(9) The extent to which the child has been rehabilitated.
(10) If the child is placed out-of-home, whether the child is inthe least restrictive, most family-like setting, and whether thechild is placed close to the home of the child's parent, guardian,or custodian.
(11) The extent to which the causes for the child's out-of-homeplacement or supervision have been alleviated.
(12) Whether current placement or supervision by thedepartment should be continued.
(13) The extent to which the child's parent, guardian, orcustodian has participated or has been given the opportunity toparticipate in case planning, periodic case reviews, dispositionalreviews, placement of the child, and visitation.
(14) Whether the department has made reasonable efforts toreunify or preserve a child's family unless reasonable efforts arenot required under section 5.6 of this chapter.
(15) Whether it is an appropriate time to prepare or implementa permanency plan for the child under section 7.5 of thischapter.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.17. Amended by P.L.35-1998, SEC.11;P.L.145-2006, SEC.318; P.L.146-2008, SEC.607.
IC 31-34-21-5.5
Reasonable efforts to preserve and reunify families
Sec. 5.5. (a) In determining the extent to which reasonable effortsto reunify or preserve a family are appropriate under this chapter, thechild's health and safety are of paramount concern.
(b) Except as provided in section 5.6 of this chapter, thedepartment shall make reasonable efforts to preserve and reunifyfamilies as follows:
(1) If a child has not been removed from the child's home, toprevent or eliminate the need for removing the child from thechild's home.
(2) If a child has been removed from the child's home, to makeit possible for the child to return safely to the child's home as
soon as possible.
As added by P.L.35-1998, SEC.12. Amended by P.L.1-1999, SEC.62;P.L.145-2006, SEC.319.
IC 31-34-21-5.6
Exceptions to requirement to make reasonable efforts to preserveand reunify families
Sec. 5.6. (a) A court may make a finding described in this sectionat any phase of a child in need of services proceeding.
(b) Reasonable efforts to reunify a child with the child's parent,guardian, or custodian or preserve a child's family as described insection 5.5 of this chapter are not required if the court finds any ofthe following:
(1) A parent, guardian, or custodian of a child who is a child inneed of services has been convicted of:
(A) an offense described in IC 31-35-3-4(1)(B) orIC 31-35-3-4(1)(D) through IC 31-35-3-4(1)(J) against avictim who is:
(i) a child described in IC 31-35-3-4(2); or
(ii) a parent of the child; or
(B) a comparable offense as described in clause (A) in anyother state, territory, or country by a court of competentjurisdiction.
(2) A parent, guardian, or custodian of a child who is a child inneed of services:
(A) has been convicted of:
(i) the murder (IC 35-42-1-1) or voluntary manslaughter(IC 35-42-1-3) of a victim who is a child described inIC 31-35-3-4(2)(B) or a parent of the child; or
(ii) a comparable offense described in item (i) in any otherstate, territory, or country; or
(B) has been convicted of:
(i) aiding, inducing, or causing another person;
(ii) attempting; or
(iii) conspiring with another person;
to commit an offense described in clause (A).
(3) A parent, guardian, or custodian of a child who is a child inneed of services has been convicted of:
(A) battery (IC 35-42-2-1(a)(5)) as a Class A felony;
(B) battery (IC 35-42-2-1 (a)(4)) as a Class B felony;
(C) battery (IC 35-42-2-1(a)(3)) as a Class C felony;
(D) aggravated battery (IC 35-42-2-1.5);
(E) criminal recklessness (IC 35-42-2-2) as a Class C felony;
(F) neglect of a dependent (IC 35-46-1-4) as a Class Bfelony; or
(G) a comparable offense described in clauses (A) through(F) in another state, territory, or country;
against a child described in IC 31-35-3-4(2)(B).
(4) The parental rights of a parent with respect to a biologicalor adoptive sibling of a child who is a child in need of services
have been involuntarily terminated by a court under:
(A) IC 31-35-2 (involuntary termination involving adelinquent child or a child in need of services);
(B) IC 31-35-3 (involuntary termination involving anindividual convicted of a criminal offense); or
(C) any comparable law described in clause (A) or (B) inany other state, territory, or country.
(5) The child is an abandoned infant, provided that the court:
(A) has appointed a guardian ad litem or court appointedspecial advocate for the child; and
(B) after receiving a written report and recommendationfrom the guardian ad litem or court appointed specialadvocate, and after a hearing, finds that reasonable efforts tolocate the child's parents or reunify the child's family wouldnot be in the best interests of the child.
As added by P.L.35-1998, SEC.13. Amended by P.L.197-1999,SEC.5; P.L.133-2000, SEC.8; P.L.222-2001, SEC.2; P.L.217-2001,SEC.10; P.L.1-2003, SEC.78.
IC 31-34-21-5.7
Permanency plan; requirement; approval; reports and orders notrequired
Sec. 5.7. (a) This section applies at any phase of a child in needof services proceeding whenever a court enters a finding thatreasonable efforts to reunify or preserve a child's family are notrequired under section 5.6 of this chapter.
(b) The department shall do the following:
(1) Complete a permanency plan for the child that complieswith the requirements of section 7.5 of this chapter.
(2) Seek court approval of the permanency plan under section7 of this chapter.
(c) Notwithstanding any otherwise applicable requirements underIC 31-34, whenever the department seeks approval of a permanencyplan for the child under subsection (b), the following reports, orders,and hearings are not required:
(1) A predispositional report to consider participation of achild's parent, guardian, or custodian in any program of care,treatment, or rehabilitation of the child.
(2) A dispositional decree under IC 31-34-19-6 and findings andconclusions under IC 31-34-19-10 that concern:
(A) participation of the child's parent, guardian, or custodianin a program for future care or treatment of the child; or
(B) reasonable efforts to prevent the child's removal from thechild's home or to reunite the child with the child's parent,guardian, or custodian.
As added by P.L.35-1998, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.145-2006,SEC.320.
IC 31-34-21-5.8
Out-of-home or permanent placement; progress reports and case
reviews not required
Sec. 5.8. (a) This section applies only if a court has approved apermanency plan for a child under section 7(b)(4) of this chapter.
(b) If the continuation of reasonable efforts to preserve andreunify a child in need of services with the child's family isinconsistent with the child's permanency plan, the department shallmake reasonable efforts to:
(1) with court approval place the child in an out-of-homeplacement in accordance with the permanency plan; and
(2) complete whatever steps are necessary to finalize thepermanent placement of the child in a timely manner.
(c) This subsection applies whenever the child's approvedpermanency plan under section 7 of this chapter is placement of thechild for adoption or another planned, permanent living arrangement.Periodic progress reports, case reviews, and postdispositionalhearings to determine whether or the extent to which the followinghave occurred are not required:
(1) Whether reasonable efforts have been made to eliminate theneed for removal of the child from the child's home or to makeit possible for the child to safely return to the child's home.
(2) Whether the child is placed in close proximity to the homeof the child's parent, guardian, or custodian.
As added by P.L.35-1998, SEC.15. Amended by P.L.145-2006,SEC.321.
IC 31-34-21-6
Repealed
(Repealed by P.L.35-1998, SEC.28.)
IC 31-34-21-7
Permanency hearing
Sec. 7. (a) The court shall hold a permanency hearing:
(1) not more than thirty (30) days after a court finds thatreasonable efforts to reunify or preserve a child's family are notrequired as described in section 5.6 of this chapter;
(2) every twelve (12) months after:
(A) the date of the original dispositional decree; or
(B) a child in need of services was removed from the child'sparent, guardian, or custodian;
whichever comes first; or
(3) more often if ordered by the juvenile court.
(b) The court shall:
(1) make the determination and findings required by section 5of this chapter;
(2) consider the question of continued jurisdiction and whetherthe dispositional decree should be modified;
(3) consider recommendations of persons listed under section4 of this chapter, before approving a permanency plan undersubdivision (5);
(4) consult with the child in person, or through an interview
with or written statement or report submitted by:
(A) a guardian ad litem or court appointed special advocatefor the child;
(B) a case manager; or
(C) the person with whom the child is living and who hasprimary responsibility for the care and supervision of thechild;
in an age appropriate manner as determined by the court,regarding the proposed permanency plan;
(5) consider and approve a permanency plan for the child thatcomplies with the requirements set forth in section 7.5 of thischapter;
(6) determine whether an existing permanency plan must bemodified; and
(7) examine procedural safeguards used by the department toprotect parental rights.
(c) If the child is at least sixteen (16) years of age and theproposed permanency plan provides for the transition of the childfrom foster care to independent living, the court shall:
(1) require the department to provide notice of the permanencyhearing to the child, in accordance with section 4(a) of thischapter; and
(2) provide to the child an opportunity to be heard and to makerecommendations to the court, in accordance with section 4(d)of this chapter.
(d) There is a rebuttable presumption that jurisdiction over thechild in a child in need of services proceeding continues for notlonger than twelve (12) months after the date of the originaldispositional decree or twelve (12) months after the child in need ofservices was removed from the child's parent, guardian, or custodian,whichever occurs first. The state may rebut the presumption andshow that jurisdiction should continue by proving that the objectivesof the dispositional decree have not been accomplished, that acontinuation of the decree with or without any modifications isnecessary, and that it is in the child's best interests for the court tomaintain its jurisdiction over the child. If the department does notsustain its burden for continued jurisdiction, the court shall:
(1) direct the department to establish a permanency plan withinthirty (30) days; or
(2) discharge the child and the child's parent, guardian, orcustodian.
The court may retain jurisdiction to the extent necessary to carry outany orders under subdivision (1).
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.17. Amended by P.L.35-1998, SEC.16;P.L.1-1999, SEC.63; P.L.14-2000, SEC.64; P.L.145-2006, SEC.322;P.L.138-2007, SEC.74; P.L.72-2008, SEC.4.
IC 31-34-21-7.3
Internet posting of nonidentifying information
Sec. 7.3. (a) This section applies after: (1) a court authorizes the filing of a petition to terminate theparent-child relationship; or
(2) a petition to terminate the parent-child relationship is filed;
in relation to a child in need of services.
(b) The department shall post the following nonidentifyinginformation on the Internet to facilitate a potential adoptiveplacement of the child:
(1) The child's age, gender, and summary of the child'seducational, social, and medical background, including knowndisabilities.
(2) The reason the child was removed from the child's home.
(3) Whether a person has expressed an interest in adopting thechild.
(4) The name, address, and telephone number of a contactperson from:
(A) the department;
(B) the appropriate county office; or
(C) licensed child placing agency;
where a person who may be interested in adopting the child mayobtain further information about adopting the child.
(5) Whether a petition to terminate the rights of the child'sparents has been authorized or filed, and whether the rights ofthe child's parents have been terminated.
(6) An address and telephone number of:
(A) the department;
(B) the appropriate county office; or
(C) licensed child placing agency;
where a person who may be interested in adopting the child mayobtain further information about adopting the child.
(c) The information posted under subsection (b) may not identifythe name of any of the following persons:
(1) The child.
(2) The child's biological or adoptive parents.
(3) A sibling of the child.
(4) A caretaker of the child.
(d) The department shall update any relevant information underthis section after either of the following:
(1) Each of the child's periodic reviews that occur after theinformation under this section is required to be posted.
(2) The rights of the child's parents have been terminated.
(e) The department shall remove the information required undersubsection (b) from the Internet whenever the child is reunited withthe child's family or an adoption of the child is filed underIC 31-19-2.
(f) Upon request, the department shall inform the person makingthe request of the address of the Internet Web site containing theinformation described in this section.
As added by P.L.35-1998, SEC.17. Amended by P.L.145-2006,SEC.323.
IC 31-34-21-7.5
Permanency plans prohibited if household contains certainindividuals; exceptions
Sec. 7.5. (a) Except as provided in subsection (d), the juvenilecourt may not approve a permanency plan under subsection(c)(1)(D), (c)(1)(E), or (c)(1)(F) if a person who is currently residingwith a person described in subsection (c)(1)(D) or (c)(1)(E) or in aresidence in which the child would be placed under subsection(c)(1)(F) has committed an act resulting in a substantiated report ofchild abuse or neglect, has a juvenile adjudication for an act thatwould be a felony listed in IC 31-27-4-13 if committed by an adult,or has a conviction for a felony listed in IC 31-27-4-13.
(b) Before requesting juvenile court approval of a permanencyplan, the department shall conduct a criminal history check (asdefined in IC 31-9-2-22.5) to determine if a person described insubsection (a) has committed an act resulting in a substantiatedreport of child abuse or neglect, has a juvenile adjudication for an actthat would be a felony listed in IC 31-27-4-13 if committed by anadult, or has a conviction for a felony listed in IC 31-27-4-13.However, the department is not required to conduct a criminalhistory check under this section if criminal history information underIC 31-34-4-2, IC 31-34-18-6.1, or IC 31-34-20-1.5 establisheswhether a person described in subsection (a) has committed an actresulting in a substantiated report of child abuse or neglect, has ajuvenile adjudication for an act that would be a felony listed inIC 31-27-4-13 if committed by an adult, or has a conviction for afelony listed in IC 31-27-4-13.
(c) A permanency plan under this chapter includes the following:
(1) The intended permanent or long term arrangements for careand custody of the child that may include any of the followingarrangements that the department or the court considers mostappropriate and consistent with the best interests of the child:
(A) Return to or continuation of existing custodial carewithin the home of the child's parent, guardian, or custodianor placement of the child with the child's noncustodialparent.
(B) Initiation of a proceeding for termination of theparent-child relationship under IC 31-35.
(C) Placement of the child for adoption.
(D) Placement of the child with a responsible person,including:
(i) an adult sibling;
(ii) a grandparent;
(iii) an aunt;
(iv) an uncle; or
(v) another relative;
who is able and willing to act as the child's permanentcustodian and carry out the responsibilities required by thepermanency plan.
(E) Appointment of a legal guardian. The legal guardian
appointed under this section is a caretaker in a judiciallycreated relationship between the child and caretaker that isintended to be permanent and self-sustaining as evidencedby the transfer to the caretaker of the following parentalrights with respect to the child:
(i) Care, custody, and control of the child.
(ii) Decision making concerning the child's upbringing.
(F) Placement of the child in another planned, permanentliving arrangement.
(2) A time schedule for implementing the applicable provisionsof the permanency plan.
(3) Provisions for temporary or interim arrangements for careand custody of the child, pending completion of implementationof the permanency plan.
(4) Other items required to be included in a case plan underIC 31-34-15 or federal law, consistent with the permanent orlong term arrangements described by the permanency plan.
(d) A juvenile court may approve a permanency plan if:
(1) a person described in subsection (a) has:
(A) committed an act resulting in a substantiated report ofchild abuse or neglect; or
(B) been convicted or had a juvenile adjudication for:
(i) reckless homicide (IC 35-42-1-5);
(ii) battery (IC 35-42-2-1) as a Class C or D felony;
(iii) criminal confinement (IC 35-42-3-3) as a Class C orD felony;
(iv) arson (IC 35-43-1-1) as a Class C or D felony;
(v) a felony involving a weapon under IC 35-47 orIC 35-47.5 as a Class C or D felony;
(vi) a felony relating to controlled substances underIC 35-48-4 as a Class C or D felony; or
(vii) a felony that is substantially equivalent to a felonylisted in items (i) through (vi) for which the convictionwas entered in another state; and
(2) the court makes a written finding that the person'scommission of the offense, delinquent act, or act of abuse orneglect described in subdivision (1) is not relevant to theperson's present ability to care for a child, and that approval ofthe permanency plan is in the best interest of the child.
However, a court may not approve a permanency plan if the personhas been convicted of a felony listed in IC 31-27-4-13 that is notspecifically excluded under subdivision (1)(B), or has a juvenileadjudication for an act that would be a felony listed in IC 31-27-4-13if committed by an adult that is not specifically excluded undersubdivision (1)(B).
(e) In making its written finding under subsection (d), the courtshall consider the following:
(1) The length of time since the person committed the offense,delinquent act, or act that resulted in the substantiated report ofabuse or neglect. (2) The severity of the offense, delinquent act, or abuse orneglect.
(3) Evidence of the person's rehabilitation, including theperson's cooperation with a treatment plan, if applicable.
As added by P.L.35-1998, SEC.18. Amended by P.L.70-2004,SEC.23; P.L.234-2005, SEC.184; P.L.145-2006, SEC.324;P.L.146-2008, SEC.608.
IC 31-34-21-7.7
Permanency plan; guardianship
Sec. 7.7. If the juvenile court approves a permanency plan undersection 7 of this chapter that provides for the appointment of aguardian for a child, the juvenile court may appoint a guardian of theperson and administer a guardianship for the child under IC 29-3. Ifa guardianship of the person proceeding for the child is pending ina probate court, the probate court shall transfer the proceeding to thejuvenile court.
As added by P.L.217-2001, SEC.11.
IC 31-34-21-8
Progress report required before formal hearing
Sec. 8. Before a hearing under section 7 of this chapter, thedepartment shall prepare a report in accordance with IC 31-34-22 onthe progress made in implementing the dispositional decree.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.17. Amended by P.L.145-2006,SEC.325; P.L.146-2008, SEC.609.
IC 31-34-21-9
Foster care review board
Sec. 9. (a) The juvenile court may assign cases to a foster carereview board established by the court to assist the court in reviewingfoster care placements.
(b) The foster care review board shall review a foster careplacement at the juvenile court's request and shall file a report,including findings and recommendations with the court.
(c) If the juvenile court believes the contents of a confidentialreport or document would benefit the review board, the court mayprovide the review board with an order authorizing disclosure of thedocument to the review board. The review board may not disclosethe contents of a confidential report or document to any person whois not allowed disclosure by the court or by statute.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.17.
IC 31-34-21-10
Review of child's legal settlement
Sec. 10. (a) This section applies when a juvenile court reviews theimplementation of a decree under this chapter or any other lawconcerning a child placed in a state licensed private or public healthcare facility, child care facility, or foster family home.
(b) The juvenile court shall review the court's findings under
IC 31-34-20-5 and determine whether circumstances have changedthe legal settlement of the child.
(c) If the child's legal settlement has changed, the court shall issuean order that modifies the court's findings of fact concerning thelegal settlement of the child.
(d) If the court has not previously made findings of factconcerning legal settlement as provided in IC 31-34-20-5, the courtshall make the appropriate findings in its order entered under thischapter.
(e) The juvenile court shall comply with the reportingrequirements under IC 20-26-11-9 concerning the legal settlement ofthe child.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.17. Amended by P.L.1-2005, SEC.207.
IC 31-34-21-11
Discharge of child
Sec. 11. When the juvenile court finds that the objectives of thedispositional decree have been met, the court shall discharge thechild and the child's parent, guardian, or custodian.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.17.