IndianaIndiana law lists activities children may do without supervision
Starting July 1, 2026, Indiana law lists activities children may do unsupervised and limits when those activities alone can lead to court intervention or a neglect charge.
What it does
Indiana law lists activities that count as independent when children do them without adult supervision, including traveling, playing outside, staying home, or sitting in a vehicle that is not moving.
A child is not considered in need of services from the court solely for an independent activity, unless the adult allowing it is so reckless that it endangers the child.
An adult charged with neglect may defend against the charge by showing they reasonably believed the child's independent activity was not dangerous.
Argument forFamilies could face less risk of court action solely because a child walks, plays outside, or stays home without adult supervision.
Argument againstA reasonable-belief defense could make neglect cases harder to prove when an adult wrongly judges a child's unsupervised activity safe.
More detail
Indiana law defines independent activity to include children traveling on foot, by bike, or by public transit; playing outside; staying home; or sitting in a vehicle that is not moving. It covers children doing these activities without supervision from a parent, guardian, or custodian. The definition takes effect July 1, 2026.
A child is not considered in need of services from the court solely for engaging in an independent activity. It applies to children under 18 in cases about whether they need care, treatment, or rehabilitation that may require court intervention. This rule does not apply if the parent, guardian, or custodian is so reckless that allowing the activity endangers the child's health or safety, given the child's maturity, condition, and ability. This rule takes effect July 1, 2026.
An adult charged with neglect of a dependent may defend against the charge by showing they reasonably believed an independent activity was not dangerous. It applies to a person charged with neglect of a dependent in their care, whether that care is voluntary or required by law. This defense takes effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Feb 24Signed by the Governor Mike BraunBecame Law
- Feb 24Public Law 20Major
- Feb 18Signed by the President of the SenateMajor
- Feb 12Signed by the President Pro TemporeMajor
- Feb 12Signed by the SpeakerMajor
- Feb 11Returned to the House without amendmentsMinor
- Feb 10Senator Clark added as third sponsor
- Vote recorded HB 1035 - Carrasco - 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 10Senators Buck, Glick, Pol added as cosponsors
- Feb 10Senator Koch added as second sponsor
- Feb 10Third reading: passed; Roll Call 149: yeas 48, nays 0Passed Senate
- Feb 9Second reading: ordered engrossedMinor
- Feb 5Committee report: do pass, adoptedMinor
- Jan 26First reading: referred to Committee on JudiciaryMinor
- Jan 21Referred to the SenateMinor
- Jan 20Third reading: passed; Roll Call 53: yeas 93, nays 0Passed House
- Vote recorded HB 1035 - Teshka - 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 20Senate sponsor: Senator Carrasco
- Jan 15Second reading: ordered engrossedMinor
- Jan 12Representative Meltzer added as coauthor
- Jan 12Committee report: do pass, adoptedMinor
- 2025
- Dec 1Authored by Representative Teshka
- Dec 1Coauthored by Representatives Garcia Wilburn, Lauer
- Dec 1First reading: referred to Committee on JudiciaryIntroduced
Criminal Justice