Sec. 2. (a) A juvenile court or the department shall consider placing a child alleged to be a child in need of services with a suitable and willing relative or de facto custodian of the child before considering any other placement for the child.

     (b) A juvenile court or the department shall consider placing a child described in subsection (a) with a relative related by blood, marriage, or adoption before considering any other placement of the child.

     (c) Before a child is placed with a relative or de facto custodian, a home evaluation and background checks described in IC 31-34-4-2 are required.

[Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-4-6.5(d).]

As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.17. Amended by P.L.146-2008, SEC.581; P.L.123-2014, SEC.22.