Section 31-34-6-2 - Placement with relative or de facto custodian; evaluation; background checks(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.Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-4-6.5(d).
Amended by P.L. 123-2014, SEC. 22, eff. 7/1/2014.As added by P.L. 1-1997, SEC.17. Amended by P.L. 146-2008, SEC.581.