Sec. 6.5. (a) This section applies to hearings under this chapter relating to a child in need of services.

(b) At least ten (10) days before a hearing on a petition or motion under this chapter:

(1) the person or entity who filed the petition to terminate the parent-child relationship under section 4 of this chapter; or

(2) the person or entity who filed a motion to dismiss the petition to terminate the parent-child relationship under section 4.5(d) of this chapter;

shall send notice of the review to the persons listed in subsections (c) and (d).

(c) Except as provided in subsection (h), the following persons shall receive notice of a hearing on a petition or motion filed under this chapter:

(1) The child's parent, guardian, or custodian.

(2) An attorney who has entered an appearance on behalf of the child's parent, guardian, or custodian.

(3) A prospective adoptive parent named in a petition for adoption of the child filed under IC 31-19-2 if:

(A) each consent to adoption of the child that is required under IC 31-19-9-1 has been executed in the form and manner required by IC 31-19-9 and filed with the local office or the department;

(B) the court having jurisdiction in the adoption case has determined under an applicable provision of IC 31-19-9 that consent to adoption is not required from a parent, guardian, or custodian; or

(C) a petition to terminate the parent-child relationship between the child and any parent who has not executed a written consent to adoption under IC 31-19-9-2, has been filed under IC 31-35 and is pending.

(4) Any other person who:

(A) the department has knowledge is currently providing care for the child; and

(B) is not required to be licensed under IC 12-17.2 or IC 31-27 to provide care for the child.

(5) Any other suitable relative or person who the department knows has had a significant or caretaking relationship to the child.

(6) Any other party to the child in need of services proceeding.

(d) At least ten (10) days before a hearing on a petition or motion under this chapter, the department shall provide notice of the hearing to the child's foster parent by:

(1) certified mail; or

(2) face to face contact by the department caseworker.

(e) The court shall provide to a person described in subsection (c) or (d) an opportunity to be heard and make recommendations to the court at the hearing. The right to be heard and to make recommendations under this subsection includes the right of a person described in subsection (c) or (d) to submit a written statement to the court that, if served upon all parties to the child in need of services proceeding and the persons described in subsections (c) and (d), may be made a part of the court record.

(f) The court shall continue the hearing if, at the time of the hearing, the department has not provided the court with signed verification from the foster parent, as obtained through subsection (d), that the foster parent has been notified of the hearing at least five (5) business days before the hearing. However, the court is not required to continue the hearing if the child's foster parent appears for the hearing.

(g) A person described in subsection (c)(2) through (c)(5) or subsection (d) does not become a party to a proceeding under this chapter as the result of the person's right to notice and the opportunity to be heard under this section.

(h) If the parent of an abandoned child does not disclose the parent's name as allowed by IC 31-34-2.5-1(c) or indicates that the child is being abandoned under IC 31-34-2.5, the parent is not required to be notified of a hearing described in subsection (c).

As added by P.L.35-1998, SEC.22. Amended by P.L.200-1999, SEC.31; P.L.133-2000, SEC.9; P.L.217-2001, SEC.12; P.L.145-2006, SEC.328; P.L.162-2011, SEC.53; P.L.128-2012, SEC.172.