Reasonable Efforts to Reunify Families Indiana

What Are Reasonable Efforts

Statute: § 31-34-21-5.5

Efforts to preserve and reunify families

When Reasonable Efforts Are Required

Statute: § 31-34-21-5.5

If the child has not been removed from the home, to prevent or eliminate the need for removing the child

If the child has been removed from the home, to make it possible for the child to return safely home as soon as possible

When Reasonable Efforts Are NOT Required

Statute: § 31-34-21-5.6

When a court finds any of the following:

A parent has been convicted of causing a suicide, involuntary manslaughter, rape, criminal deviate conduct, child molesting or exploitation

A parent has been convicted of murder or involuntary manslaughter of a victim who is the parent's child

A parent has been convicted of attempting, aiding, or conspiring to commit any of the above crimes

A parent has been convicted of battery, aggravated battery, criminal recklessness, or neglect of a dependent

The parental rights of a parent with respect to a sibling have been involuntarily terminated

The child is an abandoned infant