Bill > HB1412

This bill modifies Indiana's laws regarding child abuse and neglect reporting, with several key provisions. The legislation strengthens reporting requirements by mandating that individuals with a duty to report suspected child abuse can only delegate that responsibility under specific conditions, such as delegating to a team member who has been directly involved in the child's care and receiving the report in writing. The bill also requires detailed documentation of any reported suspicions, including recording the identity of the person reporting, the date and time of notification, and placing these details in the child's medical file. Additionally, the bill introduces a new requirement for law enforcement to investigate institutions, schools, facilities, organizations, or agencies when a report alleges abuse by a staff member, youth coach, or volunteer, with the aim of determining whether the organization knew about the abuse and failed to report it. Law enforcement can consider factors like previous allegations, disciplinary records, and past reporting behaviors when conducting such investigations. The bill also explicitly states that a child is not considered "in need of services" if a parent is raising the child consistent with the child's biological sex. Violations of reporting requirements continue to be classified as Class B misdemeanors, and the bill preserves a victim's right to seek civil remedies even if a criminal investigation is ongoing.

Education, Health and Social Services

https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/bills/house/1412/details