Sec. 13. (a) Except for a child who is under the care and supervision of the department, a petitioner for adoption may file a separate, ex parte, verified petition requesting temporary custody of a child sought to be adopted at the time of or any time after the filing of a petition for adoption. The petition for temporary custody must be signed by each petitioner for adoption.

(b) A court may grant a petition for temporary custody filed under subsection (a) if the court finds that:

(1) the petition for adoption is in proper form; and

(2) placing the child with the petitioner or petitioners for adoption pending the hearing on the petition for adoption is in the best interests of the child.

(c) If temporary custody is granted under this section, the petitioner or petitioners for adoption are legally and financially responsible for the child until otherwise ordered by the court.

(d) To the extent that a temporary custody order issued under this section conflicts with a custody order issued by any other court except a court having appellate jurisdiction over the child, a temporary order under this section controls.

(e) A:

(1) party to the adoption; or

(2) person who had:

(A) custody of; or

(B) parenting time or visitation with;

the child before a temporary custody order was issued under this section;

may file a petition to suspend, modify, or revoke the temporary custody order granted under this section.

(f) Upon receipt of a petition described in subsection (e), the court shall set the matter for hearing.

(g) The court may suspend, modify, or revoke the temporary custody order if the court determines suspension, modification, or revocation of the temporary custody order is in the best interests of the child.

As added by P.L.61-2003, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.145-2006, SEC.246; P.L.81-2014, SEC.1.