Learn About The Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Current as of January 01, 2026 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
Sec. 7. (a) For a child who is at least fourteen (14) years of age, the department shall consult with the child in the development of the child's case plan or transitional services plan. If the department determines that the child is unable to participate effectively in the development of a case plan or transitional services plan due to a physical, mental, emotional, or intellectual disability, the department may excuse the child from this requirement by documenting in the plan the reasons for the child's inability to participate in the development of the applicable plan. If the child refuses to participate in the development of the applicable plan for reasons other than a physical, mental, emotional, or intellectual disability, the department shall record the refusal and document efforts made to obtain the child's input or participation in the development of the applicable plan.
(b) The child may select not more than two (2) child representatives to represent the child in the development of the child's case plan or transitional services plan. A child representative selected under this section:
(1) must be:
(A) at least eighteen (18) years of age; and
(B) a member of the case planning team; and
(2) may not be a foster parent of or caseworker for the child.
(c) The child may select one (1) of the child representatives who is a member of the child's case planning team to also be the child's adviser and, as necessary, advocate, with respect to the application of the reasonable and prudent parent standard to the child.
(d) The department may reject an individual selected by a child to be a member of the case planning team at any time if the department has good cause to believe that the individual would not act in the best interests of the child.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Indiana Code Title 31. Family Law and Juvenile Law § 31-34-15-7 - last updated January 01, 2026 | https://codes.findlaw.com/in/title-31-family-law-and-juvenile-law/in-code-sect-31-34-15-7/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)