Indiana legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Indiana HB1307: Department of child services ombudsman.
Status: Signed into law, February 24, 2026
Provides that the office of the department of child services ombudsman (ombudsman office) shall (rather than may, under current law): (1) employ technical experts and other employees to carry out the purposes of the ombudsman office; (2) receive, investigate, and attempt to resolve complaints alleging that the department of child services failed to protect the physical or mental health or safety of a child or failed to follow specific laws, rules, or written policies; (3) issue recommendations if: (A) the ombudsman office determines that a complaint has merit; or (B) an investigation by the ombudsman office reveals a problem with an agency, facility, or program; and (4) take other specified actions and undertake other specified initiatives. Provides that if a local child protection team is involved in the initial investigation of a matter, a different local child protection team shall (rather than may, under current law) assist the ombudsman office in the ombudsman office's investigation of the matter.
What the bill says
An act to amend the Indiana Code concerning family law and juvenile law.
From the enrolled text:
AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning family law and juvenile law. SECTION 1. IC 4-13-19-4, AS AMENDED BY P.L.48-2012, SECTION 1, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026]: Sec. 4. (a) The governor shall appoint the ombudsman. The ombudsman serves at the pleasure of the governor. An individual may not be appointed as ombudsman if the individual has been employed by the department of child services at any time during the preceding twelve (12) months. The governor shall appoint a successor ombudsman not later than thirty (30) days after a vacancy occurs in the position of the ombudsman. (b) The office of the department of child services ombudsman: (1) shall employ at least two (2) full time employees to assist the ombudsman with receiving, investigating, and attempting to resolve complaints described in section 5 of this chapter; and (2) may shall employ technical experts and other employees to carry out the purposes of this chapter. (c) The office of the department of child services ombudsman may not hire an individual to serve as an ombudsman if the individual has been employed by the department of child services during the preceding twelve (12) months. (d) The ombudsman and any other person employed or authorized by the ombudsman: HEA 1307 (1) are subject to the same criminal …
Sponsors
- Alex Burton (D, HD-077) · primary sponsor
- Julie McGuire (R, HD-093)
- Becky Cash (R, HD-025)
- Victoria Garcia Wilburn (D, HD-032)
Latest actions
- : Public Law 33
- : Signed by the Governor
- : Signed by the President of the Senate
- : Signed by the Speaker
- : Signed by the President Pro Tempore
- : Returned to the House without amendments
- : Third reading: passed; Roll Call 188: yeas 44, nays 1
- : Senator Qaddoura added as cosponsor
- : Second reading: ordered engrossed
- : Committee report: do pass, adopted
Votes
- HB1307.03.COMS (February 17, 2026): 44 yea, 1 nay, passed
- HB1307.02.COMH (January 28, 2026): 93 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: AGENCIES; Department of Child Services (DCS), CHILDREN AND MINORS; Generally
Common questions
- What is HB1307?
- HB1307 is a bill in the Indiana Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Department of child services ombudsman.
- What does HB1307 do?
- In its own words: An act to amend the Indiana Code concerning family law and juvenile law.
- What is the status of HB1307?
- Signed into law as of February 24, 2026. Latest action: Public Law 33 (February 24, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1307?
- Alex Burton (D, HD-077), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1307?
- On the Indiana Legislature website: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/house/1307
Source: official Indiana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.