Bill > HB1098

This bill amends the duties of the Commission on Improving the Status of Children in Indiana (CISC) by establishing two new key initiatives. First, the bill requires CISC to create and provide staff support to a statewide juvenile justice oversight body, which will develop comprehensive plans for collecting juvenile justice data, implementing risk assessment tools, creating behavioral health services for children in the juvenile justice system, and establishing transitional services for youth in the correctional system. Second, the bill mandates the creation of a statewide youth, family, and caregiver engagement initiative that will provide staff support and funding for youth and community members participating in commission activities, develop strategies to expand youth and family involvement in state policymaking, provide educational opportunities and experiences to facilitate participation, support efforts of state agencies and community organizations in youth engagement, and solicit direct feedback from youth, families, and caregivers about child-serving systems. The bill also maintains the commission's existing responsibilities, such as studying services for vulnerable youth, reviewing legislation, promoting information sharing, and submitting an annual report to the legislative council, governor, and chief justice. These changes aim to improve youth services, policy development, and system effectiveness by increasing meaningful engagement and oversight.