1. (a) A court shall grant a petition to intervene filed under this chapter if the court determines that intervention by the petitioner is in the best interests of the child.

2. (b) A court shall grant a petition filed under this chapter requesting intervention in a child in need of services proceeding under IC 31-34 concerning a child for whom the petitioner is providing care and supervision if the court determines that:

   1. (1) the petitioner has provided care and supervision for the child for at least twelve (12) months following the initial removal of the child from the home of the child's parent, guardian, or custodian, regardless of whether the twelve (12) months during which the petitioner has provided care and supervision for the child were consecutive;
   2. (2) a petition to terminate the parent-child relationship has been filed with regard to the child; or
   3. (3) the child has been removed from the home of the child's parent, guardian, or custodian for at least twelve (12) months and the petitioner has filed a petition for adoption or guardianship of the child.
3. (c) A court shall grant a petition filed under this chapter requesting intervention in a termination of parent-child relationship proceeding under IC 31-35 concerning a child for whom the petitioner is providing care and supervision.

As added by P.L.210-2019, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.179-2025, SEC.10.