1. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) and subject to this chapter, a:

   1. (1) foster parent;
   2. (2) long term foster parent; or

   3. (3) person who has been a foster parent;

      of a child may petition the court to request intervention as a party during any stage of a child in need of services proceeding under IC 31-34 or a termination of parent-child relationship proceeding under IC 31-35 concerning the child.

2. (b) Any person described in subsection (a) who has been:

   1. (1) the subject of a substantiated report of child abuse or neglect; or

   2. (2) convicted of a nonwaivable offense, as defined in IC 31-9-2-84.8 ;

      may not petition the court to intervene under this chapter.

As added by P.L.210-2019, SEC.7.