IndianaIndiana law waives admission fees and provides foster youth insurance access
Indiana law provides free admission for eligible foster youth, car insurance access for some youth, and an annual guide to youth rights and responsibilities.
What it does
Eligible foster youth pay no admission fee to properties owned or managed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Foster youth ages 16 through 23 who receive services from the state child services department can get car insurance through the assigned risk plan, but must pay the full cost.
The Department of Child Services works with people who have foster care experience and expertise to create and update a guide to foster youth rights and responsibilities.
Argument forFree admission to department properties could make visits more affordable for foster youth and foster families.
Argument againstYouth may have trouble affording assigned risk insurance because they must pay the full cost of the policy.
More detail
The Department of Natural Resources does not charge eligible foster youth an admission fee to properties it owns or manages. The provision applies to people who meet the law's definition of a foster youth. The provision takes effect July 1, 2026.
The Department of Child Services makes an insurer list available to foster youth and the public, and the assigned risk plan must make car insurance available to eligible youth. The plan covers foster youth ages 16 through 23 who receive services from the Department of Child Services. The list names insurers that may insure a minor without a guardian cosigner outside the assigned risk plan. The plan's offer is subject to its rules. Youth must pay all policy costs. Government agencies, foster parents, and contracted service providers are not required to pay those costs or liable for damages from a youth driving a car the youth owns and insures. The provision takes effect July 1, 2026. The insurer list must be reviewed annually.
The Department of Child Services works with people who have foster care experience and expertise to create and periodically update a statement of foster youth rights and responsibilities. The statement covers foster youth rights and responsibilities. The department must distribute the statement annually to foster youth, including in translated form for youth with limited English proficiency, and to current or prospective foster parents. It must also publish the statement on its website. The provision takes effect July 1, 2026. The statement must be distributed annually.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 4Signed by the Governor Mike BraunBecame Law
- Mar 4Public Law 67Major
- Feb 27Signed by the President of the SenateMajor
- Feb 26Signed by the SpeakerMajor
- Feb 26Signed by the President Pro TemporeMajor
- Feb 25Senate concurred with House amendments; Roll Call 270: yeas 42, nays 0
- Vote recorded SB 15 - Walker K. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 23Motion to concur filedMinor
- Feb 18Returned to the Senate with amendmentsMinor
- Feb 17Third reading: passed; Roll Call 261: yeas 86, nays 0Passed House
- Vote recorded SB 15 - Lopez - 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 16Second reading: ordered engrossedMinor
- Feb 12Committee report: amend do pass, adoptedMinor
- Jan 29Representative Olthoff added as cosponsor
- Jan 28First reading: referred to Committee on Family, Children and Human AffairsMinor
- Jan 27Representative Hamilton added as cosponsor
- Jan 22Referred to the HouseMinor
- Jan 22Senator Qaddoura added as coauthor
- Jan 20Third reading: passed; Roll Call 35: yeas 46, nays 0Passed Senate
- Vote recorded SB 15 - Walker K - 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 20Senator Buck added as coauthor
- Jan 20Senator Randolph added as coauthor
- Jan 20Senators Alexander, Yoder added as coauthors
- Jan 20House sponsor: Representative Lopez
- Jan 15Second reading: ordered engrossedMinor
- Jan 12Committee report: do pass, adoptedMinor
- Jan 12Senator Ford J.D. added as coauthor
- Jan 8Senator Jackson L added as coauthor
- 2025
- Dec 8Coauthored by Senator Hunley
- Dec 8Authored by Senators Walker K, Walker G, Goode
- Dec 8First reading: referred to Committee on Family and Children ServicesMinor
- Dec 8Senator Becker added as coauthorIntroduced