Sec. 8. (a) This section applies to services and programs provided to or on behalf of a child alleged to be a delinquent child at any time before:

(1) entry of a dispositional decree under IC 31-37-19; or

(2) approval of a program of informal adjustment under IC 31-37-9.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (c), before a juvenile court orders or approves a service, a program, or an out-of-home placement for a child:

(1) that is recommended by a probation officer or proposed by the juvenile court;

(2) for which the costs would be payable by the department under IC 31-40-1-2; and

(3) that has not been approved by the department;

the juvenile court shall submit the proposed service, program, or placement to the department for consideration. The department shall, not later than three (3) business days after receipt of the recommendation or proposal, submit to the court a report stating whether the department approves or disapproves the proposed service, program, or placement.

(c) If the juvenile court makes written findings and concludes that an emergency exists requiring an immediate out-of-home placement to protect the health and welfare of the child, the juvenile court may order or authorize implementation of the placement without first complying with the procedure specified in this section. After entry of an order under this subsection, the juvenile court shall submit a copy of the order to the department for consideration under this section of possible modification or alternatives to the placement and any related services or programs included in the order.

(d) If the department approves the service, program, or placement recommended by the probation officer or juvenile court, the juvenile court may enter an appropriate order to implement the approved proposal. If the department does not approve a service, program, or placement recommended by the probation officer or proposed by the juvenile court, the department may recommend an alternative service, program, or placement for the child.

(e) 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.

(f) If the juvenile court does not accept the recommendations of the department in the report submitted under subsection (b), the court:

(1) may enter an order that:

(A) 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

(B) specifically states the reasons why the juvenile court is not accepting the recommendations of the department, including the juvenile court's findings under subsection (e); and

(2) must incorporate all documents referenced in the report submitted to the probation officer or to the court by the department into the order so that the documents are part of the record for any appeal the department may pursue under subsection (g).

(g) If the juvenile court enters its findings and order under subsections (e) and (f), 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.

(h) If the department prevails on an appeal initiated under subsection (g), 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, 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 court has made 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 Indiana judicial center.

As added by P.L.146-2008, SEC.623. Amended by P.L.131-2009, SEC.67; P.L.48-2012, SEC.70.