Bill > SB0015

This bill requires the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) to create and distribute a "foster youth bill of rights," which will outline the rights and responsibilities of young people in foster care, and to periodically update and publish this statement online. The bill also clarifies the definition of "foster youth" for various legal purposes, including eligibility for certain programs and insurance, and makes conforming changes to existing laws. For instance, it specifies that a foster youth is generally an individual between 15 and 23 years old who is adjudicated a child in need of services or was in foster care when they aged out of the system, and for other purposes, it can include younger individuals receiving collaborative care or in out-of-home placements. The bill also ensures that foster youth, aged 16 to 23, can access automobile insurance through an assigned risk plan, though they are responsible for the costs.