1. (a) The following constitute sufficient grounds for a denial of a license application:

   1. (1) A determination by the department of child abuse or neglect by:

      1. (A) the applicant;
      2. (B) an employee or a volunteer of the applicant who has direct contact, on a regular and continuous basis, with children who are under the direct supervision of the applicant; or
      3. (C) a person residing in the applicant's residence.

   2. (2) A criminal conviction of the applicant of any of the following:

      1. (A) a felony;
      2. (B) a misdemeanor related to the health and safety of a child;
      3. (C) a misdemeanor for operating a child care center or child care home without a license under IC 12-17.2-5 ; or
      4. (D) a misdemeanor for operating a foster family home without a license under this chapter (or IC 12-17.4-4 before its repeal).
   3. (3) A determination by the department that the applicant made false statements in the applicant's application for licensure.
   4. (4) A determination by the department that the applicant made false statements in the records required by the department.

   5. (5) A determination by the department that:

      1. (A) the applicant;
      2. (B) an employee or a volunteer of the applicant who has direct contact, on a regular and continuous basis, with children who are under the direct supervision of the applicant; or

      3. (C) a person residing in the applicant's residence;

         previously operated a child care center or child care home without a license under IC 12-17.2-5 or a foster family home without a license under this chapter (or IC 12-17.4-4 before its repeal).

   6. (6) A juvenile adjudication of the applicant for a nonwaivable offense, as defined in IC 31-9-2.1-168 that, if committed by an adult, would be a felony.

2. (b) An application for a license may also be denied if an individual who resides in the residence of the applicant or an employee or volunteer of the applicant who has direct contact on a regular and continuous basis with children who are under the direct supervision of the applicant has had any of the following:

   1. (1) A conviction of a nonwaivable offense, as defined in IC 31-9-2.1-168 .
   2. (2) A conviction of any other felony or a misdemeanor relating to the health and safety of a child, unless the applicant is granted a waiver by the department to employ or assign the person as a volunteer in a position described in this subsection or to permit the individual to reside in the applicant's residence.

   3. (3) A juvenile adjudication for a nonwaivable offense, as defined in IC 31-9-2.1-168 that, if committed by an adult, would be a felony, unless the applicant is granted a waiver by the department to:

      1. (A) employ or assign the person as a volunteer in a position described in this subsection; or
      2. (B) permit the individual to reside in the applicant's residence.

3. (c) In determining whether to grant a waiver under subsection (b), the department shall consider the following factors:

   1. (1) The length of time that has passed since the disqualifying conviction.
   2. (2) The severity, nature, and circumstances of the offense.
   3. (3) Evidence of rehabilitation.
   4. (4) The duties and qualifications required for the proposed employment positions or volunteer assignment.
   5. (5) The nature and extent of unsupervised contact with children residing in the home.

4. (d) Notwithstanding subsection (a) or (b), if:

   1. (1) a license application could be denied due to a criminal conviction of, or a determination of child abuse or neglect by, an employee, a volunteer, or a person residing in the residence of the applicant; and

   2. (2) the department determines that the employee or volunteer has been dismissed before the employee or volunteer has direct contact on a regular and continuing basis with a child who is or will be placed in a facility operated by the applicant or that the person residing in the residence no longer resides there;

      the criminal conviction of, or determination of child abuse or neglect by, the former employee, former volunteer, or former household resident does not constitute a sufficient basis for the denial of a license application.

5. (e) The following do not constitute a sufficient basis for the denial of a license application:

   1. (1) The applicant's immunization status or refusal to receive an immunization.

   2. (2) The immunization status of or refusal to receive an immunization by:

      1. (A) an individual who resides in the applicant's residence; or
      2. (B) an employee or volunteer of the applicant who has direct contact on a regular and continuous basis with children who are under the direct supervision of the applicant.
6. (f) Nothing in this section prohibits a licensed child placing agency from making placement decisions based on the individual needs of a medically fragile child or on biological parental preferences.
7. (g) The department may adopt rules to implement this section.

As added by P.L.145-2006, SEC.273. Amended by P.L.138-2007, SEC.52; P.L.162-2011, SEC.29; P.L.128-2012, SEC.109; P.L.183-2017, SEC.18; P.L.45-2023, SEC.4; P.L.145-2026, SEC.179.