1. (a) Except when a hearing is required after June 30, 1999, under section 4.5 of this chapter, the person filing the petition shall request the court to set the petition for a hearing. Whenever a hearing is requested under this chapter, the court shall:

   1. (1) commence a hearing on the petition not more than ninety (90) days after a petition is filed under this chapter; and
   2. (2) complete a hearing on the petition not more than one hundred eighty (180) days after a petition is filed under this chapter.

2. (b) If a hearing is not held within the time set forth in subsection (a):

   1. (1) upon filing of a motion with the court by a party; and

   2. (2) absent a finding by the court that the extension of the deadline for the hearing is necessitated by:

      1. (A) unanticipated, emergent circumstances;
      2. (B) the circumstances of the case; or

      3. (C) the Indiana Rules of Trial Procedure;

         the court shall dismiss the petition to terminate the parent-child relationship without prejudice.

         [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-5-4(b) part.]

As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.18. Amended by P.L.35-1998, SEC.21; P.L.146-2006, SEC.54; P.L.48-2012, SEC.68; P.L.244-2023, SEC.11; P.L.179-2025, SEC.26.