Ind. Code ch. 31-34-11

in effect

Ind. Code § 31-34-11-1 Factfinding hearing deadline; extension of deadline; right of foster parent or temporary caretaker to notice and opportunity to be heard

Sec. 1. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), unless the allegations of a petition have been admitted, the juvenile court shall complete a factfinding hearing not more than sixty (60) days after a petition alleging that a child is a child in need of services is filed in accordance with IC 31-34-9. (b) The juvenile court may extend the time to complete a factfinding hearing, as described in subsection (a), for an additional sixty (60) days if all parties in the action consent to the additional time. (c) If the factfinding hearing is not held immediately after the initial hearing as provided under IC 31-34-10-9, the department shall provide notice of any factfinding hearing to each foster parent or other caretaker with whom the child has been placed for temporary care. The court shall provide a person who is required to be notified under this subsection an opportunity to be heard at the factfinding hearing. (d) If the factfinding hearing is not held within the time set forth in subsection (a) or (b), upon a motion with the court, the court shall dismiss the case without prejudice unless the court finds that the extension is necessitated by: (1) unanticipated, emergent circumstances; (2) the circumstances of the case; or (3) the Indiana Rules of Trial Procedure. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-4-14(a) part.] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.17. Amended by P.L.146-2006, SEC.46; P.L.138-2007, SEC.71; P.L.48-2012, SEC.59; P.L.179-2025, SEC.14.

Ind. Code § 31-34-11-2 Judgment; order of predisposition report; scheduling of dispositional hearing; dual status assessment team report and recommendations

Sec. 2. (a) If the court finds that a child is a child in need of services, the court shall: (1) enter judgment accordingly; (2) order a predisposition report; (3) schedule a dispositional hearing; and (4) complete a dual status screening tool on the child, as described in IC 31-41-1-3. (b) If a court determines a child is a dual status child, the court may refer the child for an assessment by a dual status assessment team as described in IC 31-41-1-5. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-4-14(b) part.] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.17. Amended by P.L.66-2015, SEC.5.

Ind. Code § 31-34-11-3 Discharge of child

Sec. 3. If the court finds that a child is not a child in need of services, the court shall discharge the child. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-4-14(c) part.] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.17.

Ind. Code § 31-34-11-4 Judgment entry; continuance; release from juvenile detention facility pending entry of judgment

Sec. 4. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), at the close of all the evidence and before judgment is entered, the court may continue the case for not more than twelve (12) months. (b) If the: (1) child; (2) child's parent, guardian, or custodian; or (3) department; requests that judgment be entered, the judgment shall be entered not later than thirty (30) days after the request is made. (c) If the child is in a juvenile detention facility, the child shall be released not later than forty-eight (48) hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, pending the entry of judgment. A child released from a juvenile detention facility pending the entry of judgment may be detained in a shelter care facility. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-4-14(d) part.] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.17. Amended by P.L.35-1998, SEC.7; P.L.146-2006, SEC.47.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/31Fetched: 10/17/2026