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Indiana Code Title 31. Family Law and Juvenile Law § 31-34-20-1.6

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

Sec. 1.6. (a) This section applies to a child:

(1) who:

(A) is the subject of a child in need of services petition that is filed after the child is removed from the care or custody of the child's parent, guardian, or custodian under IC 31-34-2-3, regardless of whether the child is returned to the care or custody of the parent, guardian, or custodian at any time before the entry of the dispositional decree;  or

(B) is removed from the care or custody of the child's parent, guardian, or custodian under the child's dispositional decree under section 1(a)(3) of this chapter;  and

(2) whose dispositional decree includes an order under section 1(a)(6) of this chapter requiring a parent, guardian, or custodian of the child to complete reunification services.

(b) Except as provided in subsections (c) and (d), a court may not provide for a child's parent, guardian, or custodian to receive reunification services for more than:

(1) if the child is removed from the parent, guardian, or custodian after June 30, 2025, and before July 1, 2026, fifteen (15) months;  or

(2) if the child is removed from the parent, guardian, or custodian after June 30, 2026, twelve (12) months;

after the date of the child's removal under IC 31-34-2-3 or under the child's dispositional decree, whichever is earlier.

(c) A court may extend the provision of reunification services to a child's parent, guardian, or custodian for:

(1) a period of not more than ninety (90) days if the court finds after an evidentiary hearing that:

(A) the parent, guardian, or custodian has substantially complied with the child's dispositional decree;  and

(B) the extension is in the child's best interests;  and

(2) an additional period of not more than ninety (90) days following an extension under subdivision (1) if the court:

(A) finds after an evidentiary hearing, by clear and convincing evidence, that:

(i) the parent, guardian, or custodian has substantially complied with the child's dispositional decree;  and

(ii) the extension is in the child's best interests;  and

(B) includes in the order for the extension:

(i) the facts upon which the court based the court's findings under clause (A);  and

(ii) the time period within which it is likely that reunification of the child with the parent will occur.

(d) A court may extend the provision of reunification services to a child's parent, guardian, or custodian if the court finds after an evidentiary hearing that the child's parent, guardian, or custodian, by no fault of the parent, guardian, or custodian, was not afforded an adequate opportunity to substantially participate in the reunification services.

(e) The following are not a basis for an extension under subsection (c) or (d):

(1) Delay or failure by the parent, guardian, or custodian to establish paternity or seek custody of the child.

(2) Failure of the parent, guardian, or custodian to substantially participate in the reunification services due to the conduct of the parent, guardian, or custodian.

(f) In determining whether to extend the provision of reunification services to a child's parent under subsection (c) or (d), a court shall take into consideration the status of any minor siblings of the child.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Indiana Code Title 31. Family Law and Juvenile Law § 31-34-20-1.6 - last updated January 01, 2026 | https://codes.findlaw.com/in/title-31-family-law-and-juvenile-law/in-code-sect-31-34-20-1-6/

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