Foster Success applauds the Indiana General Assembly for passing Senate Bill 15, a landmark measure that formally establishes the Foster Youth Bill of Rights in Indiana law. The bipartisan measure, which now heads to Governor Mike Braun’s desk, ensures that the rights of young people in foster care will be permanently codified and protected statewide.
SB 15 requires the Indiana Department of Child Services to create and maintain a statement summarizing foster youth rights and responsibilities, update it periodically, distribute it to foster youth and relevant stakeholders, and publish it on the department’s website. While a Youth in Foster Care Bill of Rights currently exists on the DCS website, SB 15 guarantees that these critical protections will remain in place even as administrations change, providing consistency and stability for vulnerable youth navigating the foster care system.
“This is an historic win for young people in foster care across Indiana,” Foster Success President and CEO Dr. Maggie Stevens said. “By codifying the Foster Youth Bill of Rights, our state is making a clear commitment that the rights and dignity of foster youth are non-negotiable. These young people deserve to know what their rights are and that they are protected today, tomorrow, and for years to come.”
Foster Success program participants championed SB 15 during the organization’s Fourth Annual Day at the Statehouse in January, where they met with lawmakers to share their lived experiences and advocate for policies that improve outcomes for older foster youth.
This legislation garnered strong bipartisan support in both chambers.
It was authored by Sen. Kyle Walker (R-Lawrence), Sen. Greg Walker (R-Columbus), and Sen. Greg Goode (R-Terre Haute), and co-authored by Sen. Andrea Hunley (D-Indianapolis), Sen. Vaneta Becker (R-Evansville), Sen. La Keisha Jackson (D-Indianapolis), Sen. J.D. Ford (D-Indianapolis), Sen. Scott Alexander (R-Muncie), Sen. Shelli Yoder (D-Bloomington), Sen. James Buck (R-Kokomo), Sen. Lonnie Randolph (D-East Chicago), and Sen. Fady Qaddoura (D-Indianapolis).
House sponsors include Rep. Danny Lopez (R-Carmel), Rep. Carey Hamilton (D-Indianapolis), and Rep. Julie Olthoff (R-Crown Point).
For more information about Foster Success, visit FosterSuccess.org.