Children thrive when they have stability, consistency, and strong relationships with the people caring for them. Indiana’s new child welfare law, Senate Enrolled Act 171 (SEA 171), which took effect in 2026, strengthens protections for children in long-term placements and requires courts to provide clearer explanations for important decisions affecting children’s futures.
One of the most significant changes focuses on maintaining stability for children in out-of-home placements. If a child has lived with the same caregiver for at least 12 months, the Department of Child Services (DCS) must take additional steps before changing the child’s placement or beginning a trial home visit with a parent. The law also provides additional protections when a caregiver with whom the child has lived for at least 12 months has filed a petition to adopt the child. In those circumstances, the law substantially limits placement changes while the adoption case is pending. These procedures are intended to help ensure that any placement change is made only after careful consideration of the child’s best interests.
Another important change promotes transparency in decision-making. The law requires courts to more clearly explain why they believe a particular decision is in a child’s best interests. Factors such as sibling connections, school stability, the child’s behavioral health needs, and a caregiver’s ability to provide a permanent home must all be considered. By requiring these factors to be identified on the record, the law promotes greater accountability and helps ensure that children’s remain central to court decisions.
SEA 171 also includes several updates reflecting modern adoption and foster care practices. Adoption consents may now be witnessed by an attorney either in person or through video conferencing. The law also expands access to post-adoption contact agreements by lowering the minimum age requirement from two years to twelve months. Finally, the legislation recognizes that children often form strong bonds with long-term caregivers. When a child has lived with a caregiver for at least 12 months, courts and DCS must presume that the relationship is significant and should be considered in future placement decisions.
Ultimately, SEA 171 reflects what caregivers, families, and child welfare professionals have long understood: consistency and stability are critical to a child’s well-being. The law strengthens protections for children in long-term out-of-home placements and requires courts to clearly explain the reasons behind important decisions affecting a child’s future. Together, these changes help ensure that children’s best interests remain the guiding focus.
