Authority: IC 31-27-2-4

Affected: IC 31-27-4

Sec. 16. (a) The foster parents shall be responsible for discipline. Discipline shall:

1. (1) not be delegated to:

   1. (A) the child's peers; or
   2. (B) persons who are strangers to the child;
2. (2) be appropriate to the developmental age of the child, related to the child's act;
3. (3) not be out of proportion to the particular inappropriate behavior; and
4. (4) be handled without prolonged delay.

(b) Foster parents shall not use any of the following types of discipline:

1. (1) Corporal punishment, including physical hitting or any type of physical punishment inflicted in any manner upon the child's body.
2. (2) Physical exercise.
3. (3) Requiring or using force to make the child take an uncomfortable position.
4. (4) Verbal remarks that ridicule the child or his or her family.
5. (5) Denial of an emotional response that is appropriate to the situation.

6. (6) Denial of essential services, for example, the following:

   1. (A) Health care.
   2. (B) Food.
   3. (C) Clothing.
   4. (D) Bedding.
   5. (E) Sleep.
   6. (F) Mail.
   7. (G) Family visitation.
7. (7) Threats of removal or denial of reunification.
8. (8) Shaking.
9. (9) Placement in a locked room.

(Department of Child Services; 465 IAC 2-1.5-16; filed Apr 18, 2011, 11:31 a.m.: 20110518-IR-465100349FRA; readopted filed Nov 26, 2013, 4:02 p.m.: 20131225-IR-465130459RFA; readopted filed Oct 10, 2019, 10:42 a.m.: 20191106-IR-465190320RFA; readopted filed Oct 15, 2025, 10:46 a.m.: 20251112-IR-465250623RFA)