Ind. Code § 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.
Ind. Code ch. 31-36-3
Ind. Code ch. 31-36-3
in effectInd. Code § 31-36-3-2 Shelter or services and items provided to children
Sec. 2. An emergency shelter, a shelter care facility, or a program that provides services or items that are directly related to providing shelter to individuals who:
(1) are homeless; or
(2) have a low income;
may provide shelter and services or items that are directly related to providing shelter to a child without the notification, consent, or permission 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.
Ind. Code § 31-36-3-3 Notification to department; investigation of a child; notification to parents
Sec. 3. (a) Except as provided in subsection (d), if a child voluntarily enters an emergency shelter or a shelter care facility, the shelter or facility shall notify the department, not later than twenty-four (24) hours after the child enters the shelter or facility, of the 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 of abuse or neglect.
(b) The department shall conduct an investigation concerning the child not later than forty-eight (48) hours after receiving notification from the emergency shelter or shelter care facility under subsection (a).
(c) The department shall notify the child's parent, guardian, or custodian that the child is in an emergency shelter or a shelter care facility not later than seventy-two (72) hours after the child enters the shelter or facility. However, if the department has reason to believe that the child is a victim of child abuse or neglect, the department may not notify the child's parent, guardian, or custodian as to the specific shelter or facility the child has entered.
(d) An emergency shelter or a shelter care facility is not required to notify the department of a child who is an emancipated minor.
As added by P.L.133-2008, SEC.11.
Ind. Code § 31-36-3-4 Authorization of representative to access documentation and education services on behalf of homeless youth
Sec. 4. (a) As used in this section, "homeless youth" means an individual who:
(1) is:
(A) at least sixteen (16) years of age; and
(B) less than eighteen (18) years of age;
(2) is unemancipated;
(3) is mentally competent; and
(4) lives in a situation described in 42 U.S.C. 11434a(2)(A) and 42 U.S.C. 11434a(2)(B) with or without the consent of the individual's parent, guardian, or custodian.
(b) An individual identified in subsection (c)(3) who presents a fee and consent waiver affidavit described in subsection (c) on behalf of a homeless youth to the appropriate agency or entity shall:
(1) have access, without charge and the consent of a parent, guardian, or custodian, to the homeless youth's:
(A) certificate of birth;
(B) photo identification card under IC 9-24-16-10(c); and
(C) Indiana driver's license; and
(2) be permitted to enroll the homeless youth in adult basic education services and register the homeless youth for the Indiana high school equivalency examination following the completion of an exit interview by the homeless youth under IC 20-33-2-28.5.
(c) A fee and consent waiver affidavit executed under this subsection shall contain the following:
(1) The homeless youth's:
(A) full name; and
(B) date of birth.
(2) The name, address, and telephone number of the government entity, school corporation liaison for homeless youth, or nonprofit organization that:
(A) is providing services to the homeless youth; and
(B) will accept delivery of mail for the homeless youth.
(3) The name of the legal representative of the government entity, school corporation liaison for homeless youth, or nonprofit organization described in subdivision (2).
(4) The signature of the legal representative described in subdivision (3) and the date of the signature.
(5) The signature of the homeless youth and the date of the signature.
A fee and consent waiver affidavit executed under this subsection must be verified by affirmation or representation.
As added by P.L.155-2019, SEC.16. Amended by P.L.211-2019, SEC.40; P.L.200-2023, SEC.34; P.L.214-2025, SEC.214.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/31Fetched: 10/17/2026