Indiana legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Indiana HB1357: Child services provider background checks.
Status: Signed into law, February 27, 2026
Requires an employee of: (1) a preventative provider that operates a child welfare program; (2) a provider of home based family preservation services; (3) a child caring institution; (4) a group home; or (5) a child placing agency; to undergo a background check once every four years. Provides that the employee is not required to complete a separate federally required background check to provide additional child welfare services for the same employer.
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 31-26-3.5-5.5 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026]: Sec. 5.5. (a) An employee of a preventative provider that operates a child welfare program shall undergo a background check to which the employee is required by federal law to submit for purposes of the employee's provision of child welfare services: (1) not later than four (4) years after the individual's date of hire; and (2) one (1) time every four (4) years thereafter. (b) If an employee described in subsection (a) has completed the federally required family preservation services shall undergo a background check to which the employee is required by federal law to submit for purposes of the employee's provision of child welfare services: HEA 1357 -- Concur (1) not later than four (4) years after the individual's date of hire; and (2) one (1) time every four (4) years thereafter. (b) If an employee described in subsection (a) has completed the federally required institution license on forms provided by the department. (b) An applicant must submit the required information as part of the application. (c) The applicant must submit with the application a statement attesting the following: (1) Whether the applicant has …
Sponsors
- Elizabeth Rowray (R, HD-035) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Public Law 62
- : Signed by the Governor
- : Signed by the President of the Senate
- : Signed by the President Pro Tempore
- : Signed by the Speaker
- : House concurred with Senate amendments; Roll Call 369: yeas 92, nays 0
- : Motion to concur filed
- : Returned to the House with amendments
- : Third reading: passed; Roll Call 192: yeas 44, nays 0
- : Senator Becker added as second sponsor
Votes
- HB1357.04.ENGS.CON01 (February 25, 2026): 92 yea, 0 nay, passed
- HB1357.04.ENGS (February 17, 2026): 44 yea, 0 nay, passed
- HB1357.02.COMH (January 22, 2026): 88 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: CHILDREN AND MINORS; Children in Need of Services (CHINS), LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT; Generally , CHILDREN AND MINORS; Employment and Labor Law Issues
Common questions
- What is HB1357?
- HB1357 is a bill in the Indiana Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Child services provider background checks.
- What does HB1357 do?
- In its own words: An act to amend the Indiana Code concerning family law and juvenile law.
- What is the status of HB1357?
- Signed into law as of February 27, 2026. Latest action: Public Law 62 (March 3, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1357?
- Elizabeth Rowray (R, HD-035).
- Where is the official record for HB1357?
- On the Indiana Legislature website: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/house/1357
Source: official Indiana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.