HB 1343 Summary

• Department of Child Services must submit annual reports to legislative council on caseworker turnover rates by region, with plans to reduce turnover exceeding 15% and details on qualifications, supervisory tools, and case management.

• Department must submit annual affidavits or reports confirming caseworkers' caseloads do not exceed legal limits, or if exceeded, providing specific details on the number of affected caseworkers, excess cases, duration, reasons, and remedial plans.

• Department appropriations do not revert at fiscal year end, remain available for subsequent years, and cannot be transferred to other funds except by budget agency reassignment between department purposes upon request.

• Department must establish minimum of three kinship care navigator pilot projects in Northern, Central, and Southern Indiana regions to assist kinship caregivers in navigating services, with annual reports to legislative council and governor including data on service access barriers and recommendations for statewide implementation.

• Department must provide up to six months of financial assistance to kinship caregivers matching licensed foster family home rates, create written guidelines for caregivers, and develop and administer training courses with curriculum recommendations from an advisory group of caseworkers and kinship caregivers.