Family & Children Services

Child services matters.

Child services provider background checks.

Department of child services ombudsman.

Child fatality information.

Protecting children from family violence.

Youth, family, and caregiver engagement initiative.

Child care.

Child welfare task force.

Child services.

Adult protective services.

Trauma informed care.

Eligibility for SNAP benefits.

Department of child services ombudsman.

Child welfare provider protections.

Mandatory notification of the presence of firearms.

Short term placement of endangered adults.

Children in need of services.

Child advocacy centers.

Reunification plan for a child in need of services.

Child welfare provider protections.

Child and dependent care tax credit.

Safe haven infants.

Workforce development pilot programs.

Elimination of costs and fees in juvenile court.

Separation of siblings in child placement.

Assistance for funeral and cemetery expenses.

Marriage and family therapists.

Child care assistance.

Early childhood care and education pilot program.

Office of the child representative.

Medicaid waiver reimbursement for direct care.

Direct service provider registry.

CCDF copayments waiver.

FSSA matters.

Newborn safety device.

Requirements for SNAP participants.

Child care provided by a school corporation.

Child fatality reporting.

Youth offender boot camps and inmate calling services.

Child care availability and affordability.

TANF eligibility.

Family and juvenile law matters.

Child care study.

TANF program.

Daycare licensure exemption in declared emergency.

Child care provider notice.

Child services oversight.

Safe haven 911.

Department of child services reporting.

Required information on student ID cards.

Foster care program tax credit.

Financial literacy for foster children.

Child care background checks.

Administration of 211 services.

Family and juvenile law matters.

A SENATE RESOLUTION to urge the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) to study the accessibility of prenatal and postnatal care for Hoosiers on Medicaid living in Lake County.

Parents with a disability.

Child services reports.

Inpatient mental health care for Medicaid children.

Report on child fatalities.

Department of child services matters. Defines "child", for purposes of provisions regarding the filing of a petition to terminate a parent-child relationship involving a delinquent child or a child in need of services, as an individual who is: (1) less than 18 years of age; and (2) a delinquent child or a child in need of services. Provides that a criminal history check for certain family law and juvenile law provisions includes a check of local criminal records (rather than local law enforcement records under current law). Amends the list of offenses that disqualify an individual from acting as an adoptive parent or accepting placement of a child ("nonwaivable offenses") to: (1) add additional nonwaivable offenses; and (2) provide for additional offenses that are nonwaivable only if the conviction for the offense occurred within the past five years. Changes the threshold amount of child support payments that must be collected by a Title IV-D agency to require that the agency collect a fee. Requires a criminal history check to be conducted for an employee, volunteer, or contractor of an applicant for various licenses, regardless of whether the individual has direct contact with children. Provides for denial or revocation of various licenses for employees, volunteers, or contractors, regardless of whether the individual has direct contact with children. Requires that a child in need of services or a delinquent child be provided with a foster care verification form when the child leaves foster care or has been in foster care for at least six months. Adds department of child services employees to the list of individuals who may request that a county, municipality, or township restrict access to the individual's home address on a public property data base operated by the county, municipality, or township.

Department of child services. Specifies that all decisions made by the department of child services (department) in specified statutes shall be made in consideration of the best interests of the child. Provides that a petition for adoption of an adult is not required to include a report regarding the health status and medical history of the adoptee. States that a court shall determine that consent to adoption is not required from a parent if the parent is convicted of crimes in another state that are substantially similar to specified crimes. Requires the department to implement and make available telephone contacts for family case managers to provide access to assistance in finding suitable placement for a child. Allows the department to waive the limits on the number of children who may be placed in a single foster home under certain circumstances. Provides for a right to intervene in a: (1) child in need of services proceeding; or (2) termination of parent-child relationship proceeding; by a foster parent, long term foster parent, or person who has been a foster parent of the child, and sets forth hearing requirements on the petition to intervene. Allows a court to find that a child is not a child in need of services based on credible evidence presented by the child's parent, guardian, or custodian that the parent, guardian, or custodian: (1) is financially unable to supply the child with necessary food, clothing, or shelter; and (2) has not failed, refused, or demonstrated an inability to seek financial or other reasonable means to do so. Requires the department and the office of judicial administration (office) to prepare a form that may be used to provide written testimony by certain individuals and allows foster parents to provide written testimony in a format other than the form. Provides that a dispositional decree must require the department to continue exercising due diligence to identify all adult relatives and adult siblings of the child who may be considered as out-of-home placements for the child. Requires the department to include in a progress report prepared for a case review hearing or permanency hearing information concerning the department's continued effort to identify all adult relatives and adult siblings of the child who may be considered as out-of-home placements for the child. Provides that before a child who was: (1) placed in an out-of-home placement; and (2) moved from the out-of-home placement to an in-home placement; may be returned to an out-of-home placement, the court and the department shall make a reasonable attempt to place the child in the previous out-of-home placement. Provides that if: (1) a child has been removed from a parent and has been under the supervision of the department for 15 months of the most recent 22 months; and (2) a petition to terminate the child's parent-child relationship has not been filed; a foster parent, relative of the child, or de facto custodian with whom the child has been placed for at least six months may file a notice with the court. Provides that if the notice is filed with the court, the court shall schedule a hearing within 30 days. Requires the department and the office to jointly provide a report to the general assembly before July 1, 2020, that includes information concerning: (1) the office's progress in providing training and technical assistance to judicial officers regarding foster parents' statutory right to be heard by the court; and (2) the department's progress in improving opportunities for foster parents to provide oral and written testimony to a court.

Department of child services. Provides that an older youth who received foster care is eligible to receive collaborative care services until the individual becomes 21 years of age. Provides that the caseload of a family case manager may not be more than: (1) 12 active cases relating to initial assessments; (2) 12 families in active cases relating to ongoing in-home services; or (3) 13 children in active cases relating to ongoing services who are in out-of-home placements. Requires the department of child services (department) to initiate an assessment immediately, but not later than two hours (rather than one hour, under current law), after receiving a report of child abuse or neglect if the department believes the child is in immediate danger of serious bodily harm. Requires the department to provide a report concerning an assessment or investigation of a report of suspected child abuse or neglect not later than 45 days after the department initiates the assessment if the report of suspected child abuse or neglect was received from certain entities. Provides that a child is a child in need of services if the child's parent, guardian, or custodian has failed to supply the child with necessary food, clothing, shelter, medical care, education, or supervision: (1) when the parent, guardian, or custodian is financially able to do so; or (2) due to the failure, refusal, or inability of the parent, guardian, or custodian to seek financial or other reasonable means to do so. (Current code does not consider financial ability.)

Funding for child welfare programming. Provides that the department of child services (department) may collaborate with other entities to implement or participate in programs designed to connect the department and local offices with supportive local community organizations that may provide assistance in meeting the needs of children and families in crisis. Requires the department to report, before September 30 of each year until June 30, 2024, to the legislative council information concerning the implementation and participation in the programs.

Children's commission report and DCS human trafficking coordinator. Changes, from July 1 to September 1, the date by which the commission on improving the status of children in Indiana (commission) must submit its annual report. Requires the commission to study the topic of the department of child services employing a human trafficking coordinator. Removes an expired provision.

Substance abuse prevention grant programs. Provides that the division of mental health and addiction may establish and administer the: (1) community and faith based substance abuse programs grant; and (2) community and faith based substance abuse transportation assistance grant program. Sets forth requirements for the grants.

Voluntary preventative programs for juveniles. Provides that the Indiana supreme court may establish a two-year pilot program to assist juvenile court judges in five Indiana counties in providing voluntary preventative programs for at-risk children. Requires nonjudicial state agencies to assist the Indiana supreme court in the implementation of the pilot program. Requires the supreme court office of judicial administration to report to the legislative council specified information regarding the pilot program.

Court appointed youth advocate pilot program. Provides that the office of judicial administration may establish a youth advocate pilot program (pilot program) until July 1, 2021, for purposes of providing early intervention and mentoring services for children who are adjudicated delinquent. Provides that a youth advocate appointed under the pilot program is: (1) a volunteer; (2) appointed by a court to provide services for a child who is adjudicated delinquent; and (3) an officer of the court during the youth advocate's appointment. Provides that a youth advocate serves under the pilot program until: (1) the child for whom the youth advocate is appointed becomes 18 years of age; or (2) the court discharges the youth advocate; but may continue to serve in a volunteer capacity as a resource for the child thereafter. Provides that, except for gross misconduct, a youth advocate is immune from civil liability resulting from the youth advocate's performance of the youth advocate's duties: (1) in good faith; and (2) within the scope of the youth advocate's duties. Provides that information provided to a youth advocate by a child for whom the youth advocate is appointed: (1) is confidential; (2) may be disclosed only to the court that appointed the youth advocate or to the child's parent or guardian; and (3) may not be used against the child in a criminal or civil proceeding; except as required to report child abuse or neglect. Provides that the pilot program is funded through a combination of state, county, local, and private funding, with the state providing a dollar-for-dollar match of county and local funding, up to a maximum of $25,000 for any one county in any one state fiscal year, subject to availability of state funds. Provides for the reversion or return of funds upon the expiration of the pilot program.

Adoption subsidy payments. Requires, with exceptions, the department of child services (department) to: (1) enter into an agreement with each adoptive parent of a child with special needs who is eligible for an adoption subsidy to provide an adoption subsidy for the child; and (2) allocate to the adoption assistance account funds necessary to make the adoption subsidy payments. Prohibits the department from terminating an adoption subsidy agreement with adoptive parents due to insufficient funds in the adoption assistance account. Provides that the amount of adoption subsidy payments may not be less than an amount equal to 50% of the amount that would be payable by the department for the monthly cost of care of the adopted child in a foster family home at the time the adoption subsidy agreement is made or the subsidy is payable under the terms of the agreement, whichever is greater. Makes conforming changes.

Guardian reimbursement and Medicaid eligibility. Specifies that an amount not to exceed $175 a month in court ordered guardianship fees for an individual who is: (1) in an institution; or (2) applying for or participating in the Medicaid aged and disabled waiver; is exempt from Medicaid income eligibility consideration.

Independent children. Provides that the children in need of services statutes do not apply to the parent of a child: (1) whose basic needs are met; (2) who is of a sufficient age and maturity to avoid harm or unreasonable risk of harm; and (3) who engages in certain independent activities.

Child placement. Provides that the best interests of the child must be considered in determining placement of an alleged child in need of services who has been taken into custody. Provides that a court shall grant a petition to request intervention as a party to a child in need of services proceeding from: (1) a foster parent; (2) a long term foster parent; or (3) a former foster parent; if the court determines intervention is in the best interests of the child. Provides that before a child who was: (1) placed in an out-of-home placement; and (2) moved from the out-of-home placement to an in-home placement; may be returned to an out-of-home placement, the court and the department shall make a reasonable attempt to place the child in the previous out-of-home placement.

Placement priority for foster parents. Provides that if a child in need of services is: (1) returned from an out-of-home placement to an in-home placement; and (2) subsequently removed from the in-home placement; the court and the department of child services (DCS) shall notify the foster family with which the child was previously placed and make a reasonable attempt to place the child with that foster family. Provides that if the child has previously been placed in multiple out-of-home placements, the court and DCS shall make a reasonable attempt to place the child in the most recent out-of-home placement that

Foster parent reporting form. Prescribes a standardized form to be used for submission of a written statement by a foster parent in a periodic case review for a child in need of services.

Department of child services notifications for schools. Requires the department of child services to notify the individual designated as the point of contact for a child's school if the child is removed from the child's home. Provides immunity from civil liability for: (1) a guardian ad litem program; (2) a court appointed special advocate program; (3) an employee of or volunteer for a guardian ad litem program or court appointed special advocate program; and (4) an individual acting as a contracted guardian ad litem; when a child is placed on a waiting list for guardian ad litem or court appointed

FSSA matters. Adds representatives of organizations that represent people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities to the commission on rehabilitation services and the Medicaid advisory committee. Clarifies that outpatient home health services may be provided in other appropriate locations determined by the office. Changes the makeup of the drug utilization review board and the frequency with which the board is required to meet. Changes when a participant's funds remaining in the individual's healthy Indiana plan health (HIP) care account are refunded. Removes the HIP $25 copayment requirement for subsequent use of an emergency room for nonemergency services. Allows money in

Department of child services. Requires the department of child services (department) to describe in a child's case plan any efforts made by the department to coordinate with school officials in developing the case plan, if efforts to coordinate with school officials are made. Requires the department to provide information to the court to be made part of the court record if the department receives information that indicates that a parent, guardian, or custodian may have violated a dispositional order.

Study of pharmacy deserts. Defines "pharmacy desert". Urges the legislative council to assign topics to a study committee concerning pharmacy deserts in rural and urban areas of Indiana.

State use program. Changes references of "person with a severe disability" to "individual with a disability" in the public purchasing laws and the laws concerning the committee for the purchase of products and services of individuals with a disability (committee). Defines "individual with a disability". Amends the definition of "qualified agency". Provides that a governmental body's purchasing agent must determine if a product or service is within 10% of the fair market price. Adds a nonvoting member to the committee who represents a central coordinating agency. Amends the requirements for a state use products and services catalog. Requires the committee

Child care location and safety. Includes other weapons among the items that must be inaccessible to children in the care of certain child care providers, and amends accordingly the child care law concerning the list of imminent threats to children. Allows the division of family resources to waive the one year period after revocation during which a person may not apply for or be granted another license. Requires a child care provider to provide documentation from the county, city, or town that: (1) the child care provider meets all requirements of any applicable local ordinances; or (2) a business permit

Maximum number of foster children. Increases from five to six the number of children who may be supervised in a foster family home.

Access to nutritious food program. Establishes the access to nutritious food program (program) under the administration of the Indiana housing and community development authority (IHCDA). Provides that the purpose of the program is to focus on: (1) distribution of fresh and nutritious food; and (2) education in food preparation and nutrition in food deserts. Defines "food desert". Requires the IHCDA to convene an annual meeting to share best practices and information concerning effective programs and submit an annual report to the lieutenant governor and legislative council.

Eligibility for supplemental nutrition assistance. Beginning July 1, 2019, removes the 12 month limitation on receipt by certain individuals of supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits. Specifies that, beginning January 1, 2020, Indiana elects to opt out of the federal law prohibiting individuals convicted of certain drug offenses from receiving SNAP assistance if the individual meets specified conditions. Specifies that if the individual violates any terms of the probation, parole, community corrections, or reentry court program, the individual is ineligible for SNAP.

Child neglect defense. Specifies under the safe haven law that it is a defense to a claim of neglect of a dependent if the individual left the child: (1) with a person who is an emergency medical services provider; or (2) in a newborn safety device that meets the specified requirements. Allows a newborn safety device that was installed on January 1, 2017, to continue to operate. Provides civil immunity for a hospital that operates a newborn safety device if the device meets specified requirements, unless the act or omission constitutes gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct. Provides that

Asset limitation for SNAP eligibility. Requires the division of family resources to: (1) beginning January 1, 2018, implement within the federal Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) an expanded eligibility category and specifies a countable asset limitation for resources of $5,000 in determining an individual's SNAP eligibility; and (2) notify the United States Department of Agriculture of the implementation of expanded categorical eligibility under SNAP. Specifies certain resources that may not be counted as an asset for purposes of SNAP eligibility. Requires the division of family resources to submit a report to the legislative council concerning the projected total amounts that

Child services. Requires child abuse and neglect training for school employees. Allows the department of child services (department) to share costs incurred in maintaining the new hire directory in accordance with federal law with the department of workforce development. Adds a definition of "concurrent planning". Adds a definition of "nonwaivable offense" and makes conforming changes. Allows the department to pay the criminal background check fee in certain adoption cases. Prohibits the department from charging a fee for state tax offsets. Amends provisions concerning restricted driving licenses. Provides that the department may not grant a variance or waiver of a rule

Recovery residences and county homes. Requires the secretary of family and social services to provide that the standards provided by recovery residences for residential care and supported housing for chronic addiction, when used as a recovery residence, to be certified and to meet standards established by the division of mental health and addiction (division) through administrative rules. Requires the division to ensure that providers of services of residential care and supported housing for chronic addiction, when used as a recovery residence, acquire and maintain required certification. Allows the board of commissioners of a county to: (1) delegate the performance of

Child abuse education and policies. Requires, not later than July 1, 2018, the department of education (department) to make available model educational materials and model response policies and reporting procedures concerning child abuse and child sexual abuse to assist schools with the implementation of: (1) child abuse and child sexual abuse education programs in kindergarten through grade 12; and (2) child abuse and child sexual abuse response and reporting policies. (Current law requires the department to make available the model educational materials and model response policies and reporting procedures concerning child abuse and child sexual abuse to assist schools with

CHOICE program. Defines "countable asset" and amends the definition of "case management" and "eligible individual" for purposes of the community and home options to institutional care for the elderly and disabled program (CHOICE program). Provides that under the CHOICE program, the division of aging (division): (1) must establish a cost participation schedule for each eligible individual; and (2) may not require a family member or other person to provide services as a condition of eligibility. Requires a case manager from an area agency on aging to perform initial verification and reverification of an individual's income and assets for the CHOICE

Commission on improving the status of children. Provides that the commission on improving the status of children (commission) may appoint an executive director. Provides that an executive director shall perform duties as assigned by the commission. Provides that the office of judicial administration shall pay the salary of the executive director. Removes obsolete provisions related to commission duties.

Mental health education and screenings. Requires a school corporation's health education curriculum to include mental health wellness education. Provides that the governing body of a school corporation may provide mental health screenings to students if the written consent of the student's parent or guardian is received. Requires the department of education to provide a school corporation with resources regarding mental health wellness upon request by the school corporation.

Psychotropic medication and the commission to combat drug abuse. Provides that the chairperson of the Indiana commission to combat drug abuse (commission) is a member appointed by the governor who is either the executive director for drug prevention, treatment, and enforcement or a member of the governor's staff. (Current law provides that the chairperson is a member of the governor's staff.) Specifies that the commission: (1) shall meet at the call of the chairperson, but at least four times in a calendar year; and (2) shall approve requests for substance abuse treatment and prevention programs. Allows limitations to be placed

School buses. Provides that a special education cooperative or school corporation may enter into an agreement with an agency or organization serving individuals with a developmental disability in which a school bus or special purpose bus used by the special education cooperative or school corporation may be used to transport individuals with a developmental disability. (Current law provides that a special education cooperative or school corporation may enter into an agreement with a state supported agency serving individuals with a developmental disability in which a school bus or special purpose bus may be used to transport individuals with a developmental

Forensic treatment services grants. Adds individuals who are in the juvenile justice system as individuals who may receive mental health and addiction forensic treatment services (services). Removes the age requirement for eligibility to receive the services.

TANF eligibility. Sets the income eligibility requirements for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program at not more than 50% of the federal income poverty level. Requires the division of family resources to amend the state TANF plan or take any other action necessary to implement the income requirements. Repeals a statute that sets the amount of need payments for the TANF program.

Child sexual abuse prevention. Requires the department of child services to administer services and programs for the: (1) prevention of child sexual abuse and exploitation; and (2) treatment and assistance for victims of child sexual abuse and the families of victims of child sexual abuse.

Eligibility for child care voucher. Provides that beginning October 1, 2017, a child who is otherwise eligible for participation in the federal Child Care and Development Fund voucher program may continue to participate unless the child's family income exceeds the greater of 250% of the federal income poverty level or 85% of the state median income for the same size family.

Education of coaches of student athletes. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2017, the completion of a certified player safety education course: (1) is required for a head coach or assistant coach of an interscholastic sport; and (2) is optional for a head coach or assistant coach of an intramural sport. Provides that the course must be approved by the department of education, in consultation with a physician who has expertise in the area of concussions and brain injuries. Provides civil immunity for coaches of student athletes who: (1) comply with the training and other applicable player safety provisions regarding concussions

Guardianship; department of child services. Provides that a delegation of power by a properly executed power of attorney does not subject the parties to any laws, rules, or regulations concerning the licensing or regulation of foster family homes, child placing agencies, or child caring institutions. Prohibits a licensed foster family home from providing supervision to a child who is the subject of a power of attorney while providing overnight or regular and continuous care to a child placed in the foster family home unless the department of child services (department) grants an exception. Allows a parent to delegate the powers

Individual development accounts. Requires that a primary residence or business for which money is withdrawn from an individual development account (account) must be located or based in Indiana. Provides for use of money from an account for purchase of a motor vehicle. Increases from 175% to 200% of the federal income poverty level the maximum annual income that an individual may have to qualify for an account. Requires a qualifying individual to be an Indiana resident. Removes the deadline for deposits to accounts. Provides that a community development corporation may apply to the housing and community development authority for an

Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. Requires the Indiana board of pharmacy (board) to adopt emergency rules that are effective July 1, 2016, concerning: (1) professional determinations made; and (2) a relationship on record with the pharmacy; concerning the sale of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine. Requires the board to: (1) review professional determinations made; and (2) discipline a pharmacist who violates a rule concerning a professional determination made; concerning the sale of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine. Allows the board, in consultation with the state police, to declare a product to be an extraction resistant or a conversion resistant form of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine. Specifies that

Notification of abuse or neglect assessment. Requires the department of child services to notify the United States Department of Defense family advocacy program (program) if a child of an active duty member of the military is the subject of a substantiated investigation regarding an allegation of neglect or abuse. Allows the program to receive the assessment report. Allows the department of child services to seek assistance from the program in determining and providing appropriate services for the child and family of an active duty member.

Pseudoephedrine and ephedrine. Provides that materials, compounds, mixtures, or preparations that contain ephedrine or pseudoephedrine are schedule III controlled substances that may be dispensed only by prescription. Repeals: (1) the statute allowing the dispensing of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine without a prescription subject to certain restrictions; and (2) provisions related to that statute. Requires pharmacies and certain retailers that sell ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or drugs that contain ephedrine or pseudoephedrine before July 1, 2016, to continue to maintain an electronic or written log of such sales through June 30, 2018.

Child in need of services matters. Provides that if a child is a victim of human or sexual trafficking, vicarious sexual gratification, child solicitation, patronizing a prostitute, or promoting prostitution, the child may be a child in need of services. Provides that certain children may be children in need of services if they live in the same household as: (1) a child who is a victim of certain sex crimes; or (2) an adult who has been convicted of or charged with certain sex crimes.

Eligibility for child care voucher. Provides that beginning October 1, 2016, a child who is otherwise eligible for participation in the federal Child Care and Development Fund voucher program may continue to participate unless the child's family income exceeds the greater of 250% of the federal income poverty level or 85% of the state median income for the same size family.

Developmental disability terminology. Changes the term "mental retardation" to "intellectual disability". Makes technical corrections.

Medications. Defines "medication therapy management" for the purposes of the regulation of pharmacies and pharmacists. Adds the provision of medication therapy management to the definition of "the practice of pharmacy". Includes advanced practice nurses and physician assistants in the definition of "direct supervision" for the purposes of consulting with a pharmacist on certain drug regimen protocols. Establishes the INSPECT oversight committee. Provides the committee's approval for the board to execute a contract with a vendor to administer the INSPECT program. Requires approval from the chairperson of the board of pharmacy to hire a director of the INSPECT program. Provides that

Family and social services administration. Specifies that the secretary of family and social services, rather than certain division directors, is: (1) the appointing authority for divisions within the office of the secretary of family and social services (office of the secretary); (2) authorized to advise the governor concerning adopted rules; (3) authorized to adopt administrative rules; (4) authorized to enter into contracts for the office of the secretary; and (5) the authority for administering specified programs and grants.

Eligibility for child care voucher. Provides that beginning October 1, 2015, a child who is otherwise eligible for participation in the federal Child Care and Development Fund voucher program may continue to participate unless the child's family income exceeds the greater of 250% of the federal income poverty level or 85% of the state median income for the same size family.

Waste blood specimen requirements. Adds retention and destruction requirements to the state department of health's epidemiological survey and research system for waste blood specimens. Specifies consent required under certain circumstances concerning waste blood specimens. Allows a parent to request that the waste blood specimen of a newborn be destroyed not later than six months after collection. Requires a fee to be assessed for certain people applying to use samples of the waste blood specimens. Specifies when identifiable information of waste blood specimens can be released, and sets forth requirements.

Removal of asset limits for SNAP food assistance program. Requires the division of family resources to: (1) implement within the federal Supplemental Nutritional Assistance program (SNAP) an expanded eligibility category, which does not consider an individual's value of assets in determining SNAP eligibility; and (2) notify the United States Department of Agriculture of the implementation of expanded categorical eligibility under SNAP.

Eligibility for child care voucher. Provides that a child who is otherwise eligible for participation in the federal Child Care and Development Fund voucher program: (1) is eligible to participate in the program if the child's family income does not exceed 200% of the federal income poverty level; and (2) may continue to participate unless the child's family income exceeds 250% of the federal income poverty level. Makes an appropriation.

Small employer wellness program tax credits. Extends the income tax credit for small employers that provide a qualified wellness program for their employees. Provides that the credit may be claimed for costs incurred in 2012 through 2015. (Current law provides that costs incurred after 2011 are not eligible for the credit.) Allows the credit to be carried forward through 2019.

Department of child services reporting. Changes the definition of "near fatality" for purposes of the law concerning records relating to a child's death or near fatality to a severe childhood injury or condition that results in the child receiving critical care for at least 24 hours following the child's admission to a critical care unit.