Ind. Code ch. 31-34-6

in effect

Ind. Code § 31-34-6-1 Detention in certain facilities prohibited

Sec. 1. A child alleged to be a child in need of services may not be held in: (1) a secure detention facility; (2) a community based correctional facility for children; (3) a juvenile detention facility; or (4) a shelter care facility that houses persons charged with, imprisoned for, or incarcerated for crimes. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-4-6.5(a) part.] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.17. Amended by P.L.104-2015, SEC.33.

Ind. Code § 31-34-6-2 Placement with relative or de facto custodian; evaluation; background checks

Sec. 2. (a) A juvenile court or the department shall consider placing a child alleged to be a child in need of services with a suitable and willing relative or de facto custodian of the child before considering any other placement for the child. (b) A juvenile court or the department shall consider placing a child described in subsection (a) with a relative related by blood, marriage, or adoption before considering any other placement of the child. (c) Before a child is placed with a relative or de facto custodian, a home evaluation and background checks described in IC 31-34-4-2 are required. (d) A placement with whom a child has resided for at least twelve (12) months, consecutively or nonconsecutively, is presumed to be an individual who has a significant relationship with the child. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-4-6.5(d).] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.17. Amended by P.L.146-2008, SEC.581; P.L.123-2014, SEC.22; P.L.116-2026, SEC.7.

Ind. Code § 31-34-6-3 Placement in facility located outside child's county of residence

Sec. 3. A juvenile court or the department may not place a child in a shelter care facility that is located outside the child's county of residence unless placement of the child in a comparable facility with adequate services located in the child's county of residence is unavailable or the child's county of residence does not have an appropriate comparable facility with adequate services. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-4-6.5(e) part.] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.17. Amended by P.L.146-2008, SEC.582; P.L.104-2015, SEC.34.

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