By State Sen. Daryl Schmitt (R-Jasper)
Here in Indiana, Hoosiers have always known how important healthy families are to a successful society.
That's why during the month of November we celebrate National Adoption Month, which raises awareness of the importance of adoption and honors those who open their hearts and homes to children in need of a loving family.
With family being such an important part of our state, this year I supported a new law that helps children in bad situations find safe and permanent homes if staying with their biological parents is not a viable option.
House Enrolled Act 1605 allows the Indiana Department of Child Services' adoption website to include the first name and picture of hard-to-place Children in Need of Services.
This new law also allows DCS to post a child's availability for adoption before a Termination of Parental Rights petition has been filed if adoption is the only permanent or long-term arrangement for the child approved by a court.
In recent years, the Indiana General Assembly has also championed new laws that support adoptive families and children in foster care by doubling Indiana's adoption tax credit, updating laws to help adoptive parents of special needs children and removing hurdles that can unnecessarily slow adoption.
Last year, more than 1,500 children were adopted in Indiana, and over 1,200 have been adopted this year.
All children deserve to have a strong, loving family, and I am always proud to support families who choose to open their hearts to a child in need.
As always, constituents can reach out to me with any questions or concerns by email at s48@iga.in.gov or by phone at 1-800-382-9467.
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State Sen. Daryl Schmitt (R-Jasper) represents Senate District 48,
which includes Crawford, Dubois, Gibson, Perry, Pike and Spencer counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
