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Panel advances bill to speed and expand reporting on child fatalities and near‑fatalities
Summary
House Bill 12 64 to align Indiana’s reporting on child fatalities with federal CAPTA requirements and make summary information available within 90 days advanced after emotional testimony from a foster parent and support from child welfare providers.
Representative Ryan Lauer introduced House Bill 12 64 and an amendment clarifying that any information disclosed from the Department of Child Services must comply with federal law. Lauer said the bill aligns Indiana reporting with the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), improves timeliness and includes protections for victims and ongoing investigations.
“Federal law under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act…requires public disclosure of findings or information for all child fatalities or near fatalities due to abuse or neglect,” Lauer told the committee, and he said the bill would make summary information available within about 90 days rather than the current 18‑month timeframe.
Austin *****, a police officer and former foster parent, testified about a Jay County fatality from 2022 and urged passage. He described serious abuse of a 5‑year‑old, Christian Crossland, and said the 2022 fatality report contained limited information (noting the report lists two unsubstantiated prior assessments, zero substantiated assessments, and that DCS noted no open DCS involvement at the time). “The information we get is minimal and does not honor the memory of Christian,” he said, urging lawmakers to support the bill so legislators will have fuller information to inform prevention and oversight.
Hannah Joy, executive director of IARCA (the state association for child welfare service providers), also spoke in support and thanked Representative Lauer for the intent to increase transparency while honoring each child’s life.
Committee members asked questions and expressed appreciation for the testimony. The committee moved the bill as amended, took roll call votes and, once a late member arrived, recorded final aye votes on the measure. Supporters said implementation will need careful attention to federal privacy limits and DCS processes.
The committee’s action advanced the bill out of committee; the bill’s supporters said the change would provide policymakers with timelier summary information while preserving protections for victims and ongoing investigations.
