Court submission of certain proposed services, programs, and out-of-home placement to department; approval or disapproval by department; court orders; appeal by department

Sec. 7. (a) This section applies to services and programs provided to or on behalf of a child alleged to be a child in need of services at any time before: (1) entry of a dispositional decree under IC 31-34-20; or (2) approval of a program of informal adjustment under IC 31-34-8. (b) Before a juvenile court orders or approves a service, a program, or an out-of-home placement for a child that has not been recommended by the department, the court shall submit the proposed service, program, or placement to the department for consideration. The department shall, within three (3) business days after receipt of the court's proposal, submit to the court a report stating whether the department approves or disapproves the proposed service, program, or placement. (c) If the department approves the service, program, or placement recommended by the juvenile court, the court may enter an appropriate order to implement the approved proposal. If the department does not approve a service, program, or placement proposed by the juvenile court, the department may recommend an alternative service, program, or placement for the child. (d) The juvenile court shall accept the recommendations of the department regarding any predispositional services, programs, or placement for the child, unless the juvenile court finds a recommendation is: (1) unreasonable, based on the facts and circumstances of the case; or (2) contrary to the welfare and best interests of the child. (e) If the juvenile court does not accept the recommendations of the department in the report submitted under subsection (b), the court may enter an order that: (1) requires the department to provide a specified service, program, or placement until entry of a dispositional decree or until the order is otherwise modified or terminated; and (2) specifically states the reasons why the juvenile court is not accepting the recommendations of the department, including the court's findings under subsection (d). (f) If the juvenile court enters its findings and order under subsection (e), the department may appeal the juvenile court's order under any available procedure provided by the Indiana Rules of Trial Procedure or the Indiana Rules of Appellate Procedure to allow any disputes arising under this section to be decided in an expeditious manner. (g) If the department prevails on appeal, the department shall pay the following costs and expenses incurred by or on behalf of the child before the date of the final decision: (1) Any programs or services implemented during the appeal initiated under subsection (f), other than the cost of an out-of-home placement ordered by the juvenile court. (2) Any out-of-home placement ordered by the juvenile court and implemented after entry of the court order of placement, if the juvenile court order includes written findings that the placement is an emergency required to protect the health and welfare of the child. If the court has not made written findings that the placement is an emergency, the department shall file a notice with the office of judicial administration.