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Indiana Code Title 31. Family Law and Juvenile Law § 31-34-19-7

Current as of January 01, 2026 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

Sec. 7. (a) In addition to the factors under section 6 of this chapter, if the court enters a dispositional decree regarding a child in need of services that includes an out-of-home placement, the court shall:

(1) order the department to continue exercising due diligence to identify all adult relatives of the child and adult siblings who may be considered as out-of-home placements for the child until the child has been in an out-of-home placement for at least twelve (12) months;  and

(2) consider whether the child should be placed with the child's suitable and willing relative before considering other out-of-home placements for the child.

(b) A juvenile court 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.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Indiana Code Title 31. Family Law and Juvenile Law § 31-34-19-7 - last updated January 01, 2026 | https://codes.findlaw.com/in/title-31-family-law-and-juvenile-law/in-code-sect-31-34-19-7/

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