It is the policy of this state and the purpose of this title to:

1. (1) recognize the importance of family and children in our society, including the parenting rights of a parent, regardless of whether the parent has a disability;
2. (2) recognize the responsibility of the state to enhance the viability of children and family in our society;
3. (3) acknowledge the responsibility each person owes to the other;
4. (4) strengthen family life by assisting parents to fulfill their parental obligations;
5. (5) ensure that children within the juvenile justice system are treated as persons in need of care, protection, treatment, and rehabilitation;
6. (6) remove children from families only when it is in the child's best interest or in the best interest of public safety;
7. (7) make reasonable efforts to support and facilitate two-way communication between a child's parent or parents and any licensed foster parent or kinship caregiver caring for the child following removal by the department of child services;
8. (8) provide for adoption as a viable permanency plan for children who are adjudicated children in need of services;
9. (9) provide a juvenile justice system that protects the public by enforcing the legal obligations that children have to society and society has to children;
10. (10) use diversionary programs when appropriate;

11. (11) provide a judicial procedure that:

    1. (A) ensures fair hearings;
    2. (B) recognizes and enforces the legal rights of children and their parents; and
    3. (C) recognizes and enforces the accountability of children and parents;
12. (12) promote public safety and individual accountability by the imposition of appropriate sanctions; and

13. (13) provide a continuum of services developed in a cooperative effort by local governments and the state.

    [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-1-1.1.]

As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.35-1998, SEC.3; P.L.146-2021, SEC.4; P.L.45-2024, SEC.1.