CHAPTER 3. HOMELESS CHILDREN
IC 31-36-3
Chapter 3. Homeless Children
IC 31-36-3-1
"Services or items"
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "services or items" includes food,
clothing, personal hygiene products, health care, and counseling.
As added by P.L.133-2008, SEC.11.
IC 31-36-3-2
Shelter or services and items provided to children
Sec. 2. An emergency shelter, a shelter care facility, or a program
that provides services or items that are directly related to providing
shelter to individuals who:
(1) are homeless; or
(2) have a low income;
may provide shelter and services or items that are directly related to
providing shelter to a child without the notification, consent, or
permission of the child's parent, guardian, or custodian.
As added by P.L.133-2008, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.72-2009,
SEC.1.
IC 31-36-3-3
Notification to department; investigation of a child; notification to
parents
Sec. 3. (a) Except as provided in subsection (d), if a child
voluntarily enters an emergency shelter or a shelter care facility, the
shelter or facility shall notify the department, not later than
twenty-four (24) hours after the child enters the shelter or facility, of
the following:
(1) The name of the child.
(2) The location of the shelter or facility.
(3) Whether the child alleges that the child is the subject of
abuse or neglect.
(b) The department shall conduct an investigation concerning the
child not later than forty-eight (48) hours after receiving notification
from the emergency shelter or shelter care facility under subsection
(a).
(c) The department shall notify the child's parent, guardian, or
custodian that the child is in an emergency shelter or a shelter care
facility not later than seventy-two (72) hours after the child enters the
shelter or facility. However, if the department has reason to believe
that the child is a victim of child abuse or neglect, the department
may not notify the child's parent, guardian, or custodian as to the
specific shelter or facility the child has entered.
(d) An emergency shelter or a shelter care facility is not required
to notify the department of a child who is an emancipated minor.
As added by P.L.133-2008, SEC.11.