Ind. Code ch. 31-19-29

Ind. Code ch. 31-19-29
in effect

Ind. Code § 31-19-29-1 Legislative findings; purposes

Sec. 1. (a) The general assembly finds the following: (1) Finding adoptive families for children, for whom state assistance is desirable pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 673, and assuring the protection of the interests of the children affected during the entire assistance period, require special measures when the adoptive parents move to other states or are residents of another state. (2) Provision of medical and other necessary services for children, with state assistance, encounters special difficulties when the provision of services takes place in other states. (b) The purposes of this chapter are the following: (1) Authorize the department to enter into interstate agreements with agencies of other states for the protection of children on behalf of whom adoption assistance is being provided by the department. (2) Provide procedures for interstate children's adoption assistance payments, including medical payments. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-3-5-1.] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.145-2006, SEC.267.

Ind. Code § 31-19-29-2 Authorization of the department to enter compacts; definitions

Sec. 2. (a) The department is authorized to develop, participate in the development of, negotiate, and enter into one (1) or more interstate compacts on behalf of this state with other states to implement one (1) or more of the purposes set forth in this chapter. When so entered into, and for so long as it shall remain in force, such a compact shall have the force and effect of law. (b) For the purposes of this chapter, the term "state" shall mean a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or a territory or possession of or administered by the United States. (c) For the purposes of this chapter, the term "adoption assistance state" means the state that is signatory to an adoption assistance agreement in a particular case. (d) For the purposes of this chapter, the term "residence state" means the state of which the child is a resident by virtue of the residence of the adoptive parents. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-3-5-2(a).] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.145-2006, SEC.268.

Ind. Code § 31-19-29-3 Mandatory provisions

Sec. 3. A compact entered into pursuant to the authority conferred by this chapter shall have the following content: (1) A provision making it available for joinder by all states. (2) A provision or provisions for withdrawal from the compact upon written notice to the parties, but with a period of one (1) year between the date of the notice and the effective date of the withdrawal. (3) A requirement that the protections afforded by or pursuant to the compact continue in force for the duration of the adoption assistance and be applicable to all children and their adoptive parents who on the effective date of the withdrawal are receiving adoption assistance from a party state other than the one in which they are resident and have their principal place of abode. (4) A requirement that each instance of adoption assistance to which the compact applies be covered by an adoption assistance agreement in writing between the adoptive parents and the state child welfare agency of the state which undertakes to provide the adoption assistance, and further, that any such agreement be expressly for the benefit of the adopted child and enforceable by the adoptive parents, and the state agency providing the adoption assistance. (5) Such other provisions as may be appropriate to implement the proper administration of the compact. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-3-5-3.] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.11.

Ind. Code § 31-19-29-4 Permissive provisions

Sec. 4. A compact entered into pursuant to the authority conferred by this chapter may contain provisions in addition to those required pursuant to section 3 of this chapter, as follows: (1) Provisions establishing procedures and entitlements to medical, developmental, child care, or other social services for the child in accordance with applicable laws, even though the child and the adoptive parents are in a state other than the one responsible for or providing the services or the funds to defray part or all of the costs thereof. (2) Such other provisions as may be appropriate or incidental to the proper administration of the compact. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-3-5-4.] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.11.

Ind. Code § 31-19-29-5 Medical assistance identification; conditions; payment of benefits; nonresidents; rules; violations

Sec. 5. (a) A child with special needs resident in this state who is the subject of an adoption assistance agreement with another state shall be entitled to receive a medical assistance identification from this state upon the filing in the local office for the county in which the child resides of a certified copy of the adoption assistance agreement obtained from the adoption assistance state. In accordance with rules of the department, the adoptive parents shall be required at least annually to show that the agreement is still in force or has been renewed. (b) The department shall consider the holder of a medical assistance identification pursuant to this section as any other holder of a medical assistance identification under the laws of this state and shall process and make payment on claims on account of such holder in the same manner and pursuant to the same conditions and procedures as for other recipients of medical assistance. (c) The department shall provide coverage and benefits for a child who is in another state and who is covered by an adoption assistance agreement made by the department for the coverage or benefits, if any, not provided by the residence state. To this end, the adoptive parents acting for the child may submit evidence of payment for services or benefit amounts not payable in the residence state and shall be reimbursed therefor. However, there shall be no reimbursement for services or benefit amounts covered under any insurance or other third party medical contract or arrangement held by the child or the adoptive parents. The department shall adopt rules implementing this subsection. The additional coverages and benefit amounts provided pursuant to this subsection shall be for services to the cost of which there is no federal contribution, or which, if federally aided, are not provided by the residence state. Among other things, such rules shall include procedures to be followed in obtaining prior approvals for services in those instances where required for the assistance. (d) A person who submits any claim for payment or reimbursement for services or benefits pursuant to this section or makes any statement in connection therewith, which claim or statement the maker knows or should know to be false, misleading, or fraudulent commits a Level 6 felony. (e) The provisions of this section shall apply only to medical assistance for children under adoption assistance agreements from states that have entered into a compact with this state under which the other state provides medical assistance to children with special needs under adoption assistance agreements made by this state. All other children entitled to medical assistance pursuant to adoption assistance agreements entered into by this state shall be eligible to receive it in accordance with the laws and procedures applicable thereto. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-3-5-5.] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.145-2006, SEC.269; P.L.128-2012, SEC.85; P.L.158-2013, SEC.312.

Ind. Code § 31-19-29-6 Federal aid

Sec. 6. Consistent with federal law, the department in connection with the administration of this chapter and any compact pursuant hereto shall include in any state plan made pursuant to the federal Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980 (P.L.96-272), Title IV-E and Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act, and any other applicable federal laws, the provision of adoption assistance and medical assistance for which the federal government pays some or all of the cost. The department shall apply for and administer all relevant federal aid in accordance with law. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-3-5-6.] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.145-2006, SEC.270.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/31Fetched: 10/17/2026

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