Section 31-34-19-6 - Dispositional decree; considerations(a) If consistent with the safety of the community and the best interest of the child, the juvenile court shall enter a dispositional decree that: (1) is:(A) in the least restrictive (most family like) and most appropriate setting available; and(B) close to the parents' home, consistent with the best interest and special needs of the child;(2) least interferes with family autonomy;(3) is least disruptive of family life; (4) imposes the least restraint on the freedom of the child and the child's parent, guardian, or custodian; (5) provides a reasonable opportunity for participation by the child's parent, guardian, or custodian; and(6) provides a reasonable opportunity for the child's parent who:(B) has maintained a meaningful role in the child's life; to maintain a relationship with the child.
(b) In determining whether reunification of a child with a parent, guardian, or custodian from whom the child has been removed is in the child's best interest, a court shall do the following:(1) The court shall determine whether reunifying the child with the parent, guardian, or custodian will result in separation of the child from a sibling of the child.(2) If the court determines under subdivision (1) that reunifying the child with the parent, guardian, or custodian will result in separation of the child from a sibling of the child, the court shall consider whether separating the child from the child's sibling is in the child's best interest.Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-4-15.3(e) part.
Amended by P.L. 65-2023,SEC. 2, eff. 7/1/2023.Amended by P.L. 258-2019,SEC. 2, eff. 7/1/2019.As added by P.L. 1-1997, SEC.17. Amended by P.L. 55-1997, SEC.22.