CHAPTER 3. HOMELESS CHILDREN

IC 31-36-3
    Chapter 3. Homeless Children

IC 31-36-3-1
"Services or items"
    Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "services or items" includes food,clothing, personal hygiene products, health care, and counseling.
As added by P.L.133-2008, SEC.11.

IC 31-36-3-2
Shelter or services and items provided to children
    Sec. 2. An emergency shelter, a shelter care facility, or a programthat provides services or items that are directly related to providingshelter to individuals who:
        (1) are homeless; or
        (2) have a low income;
may provide shelter and services or items that are directly related toproviding shelter to a child without the notification, consent, orpermission of the child's parent, guardian, or custodian.
As added by P.L.133-2008, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.72-2009,SEC.1.

IC 31-36-3-3
Notification to department; investigation of a child; notification toparents
    Sec. 3. (a) Except as provided in subsection (d), if a childvoluntarily enters an emergency shelter or a shelter care facility, theshelter or facility shall notify the department, not later thantwenty-four (24) hours after the child enters the shelter or facility, ofthe following:
        (1) The name of the child.
        (2) The location of the shelter or facility.
        (3) Whether the child alleges that the child is the subject ofabuse or neglect.
    (b) The department shall conduct an investigation concerning thechild not later than forty-eight (48) hours after receiving notificationfrom the emergency shelter or shelter care facility under subsection(a).
    (c) The department shall notify the child's parent, guardian, orcustodian that the child is in an emergency shelter or a shelter carefacility not later than seventy-two (72) hours after the child enters theshelter or facility. However, if the department has reason to believethat the child is a victim of child abuse or neglect, the departmentmay not notify the child's parent, guardian, or custodian as to thespecific shelter or facility the child has entered.
    (d) An emergency shelter or a shelter care facility is not requiredto notify the department of a child who is an emancipated minor.
As added by P.L.133-2008, SEC.11.