Indiana legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Indiana HB1264: Child fatality information.
Status: In committee, January 27, 2026
Provides that the department of child services (department) shall disclose to the public certain information regarding child fatalities or near fatalities. Provides that, upon request, the department may provide additional information regarding cases of child fatalities or near fatalities subject to certain requirements. Makes technical and conforming changes.
What the bill says
A bill FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning family law and juvenile law.
From the amended text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning family law and juvenile law. SECTION 1. IC 31-9-2-81.7 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026]: Sec. 81.7. "Near fatality", for purposes of IC 31-33-18.5, means a severe childhood injury or condition that is certified by a physician as being life threatening. SECTION 2. IC 31-33-18-1, AS AMENDED BY P.L.77-2023, SECTION 8, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026]: Sec. 1. (a) Except as provided in section 1.5 of this chapter and IC 31-33-18.5, the following are confidential: (1) Reports made under this article (or IC 31-6-11 before its repeal). (2) Any other information, documents, reports, pictures, videos, images, or recordings obtained, possessed, produced, or created (B) the local office; (C) the department; or HB 1264--LS 6882/DI (D) the department of child services ombudsman established by IC 4-13-19-3; concerning a child or family with whom the department has received a report or referral or has been involved with during any stage of the department's investigation, including post-assessment or post-adoption activity. (b) Except as provided in section 1.5 of this chapter and IC 31-33-18.5, all records held (2) a local office; (3) the department; (4) a local child fatality review team established under IC 16-49-2; (5) …
Sponsors
- Ryan Lauer (R, HD-059) · primary sponsor
- Carolyn Jackson (D, HD-001)
- Julie McGuire (R, HD-093)
- Dale DeVon (R, HD-005)
Latest actions
- : First reading: referred to Committee on Family and Children Services
- : Referred to the Senate
- : Representative DeVon added as coauthor
- : Representative Goss-Reaves removed as coauthor
- : Senate sponsor: Senator Johnson T
- : Third reading: passed; Roll Call 77: yeas 92, nays 0
- : Second reading: ordered engrossed
- : Representatives Goss-Reaves, Jackson C, McGuire added as coauthors
- : Committee report: amend do pass, adopted
- : Authored by Representative Lauer
Votes
- HB1264.02.COMH (January 22, 2026): 92 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: CHILDREN AND MINORS; Children in Need of Services (CHINS), HEALTH; Children and Minors, AGENCIES; Department of Child Services (DCS), CHILDREN AND MINORS; Generally, DEATH AND DECEASED; Mortality Reporting
Common questions
- What is HB1264?
- HB1264 is a bill in the Indiana Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Child fatality information.
- What does HB1264 do?
- In its own words: A bill FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning family law and juvenile law.
- What is the status of HB1264?
- In committee as of January 27, 2026. Latest action: First reading: referred to Committee on Family and Children Services (January 27, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1264?
- Ryan Lauer (R, HD-059), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1264?
- On the Indiana Legislature website: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/house/1264
Source: official Indiana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.