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by Amanda Wishin, Research Attorney • Office of Court Services All bills are effective on July 1, 2023, unless otherwise noted. The following are the top changes of interest for judicial officers: City/Town courts H.E.A. 1335, P.L. 141 Abolishing Amends the process for abolishing city/town courts. H.E.A. 1336, P.L. 227 Statement of economic interest Judges of city and town courts must file a statement … [Read more...] about 2023 Legislative Update

New funding source for family law Guardians ad Litem & expanded eligibility by Joseph Fischer, Staff Attorney • Office of Court Services, Children & Families Division Guardians ad Litem play a valuable role in providing insights into the lives of children involved in family law cases throughout Indiana. These professionals offer a voice to children whose lives are impacted by domestic relations m … [Read more...] about Changes to the ADR Fund Plan

When courts are and are not obligated to provide interpreter services By Heather Falks, Deputy General Counsel and Manpreet Kaur, Language Access Director• Office of Judicial Administration Individuals have a constitutional right to access the courts [footnote 1] and essential to that access is their ability to understand the proceedings. Individuals with communication disabilities or limited English p … [Read more...] about Not Open to Interpretation

By Melissa Arvin, Family Violence Resource Attorney • Office of Court Services Children are being trafficked in every county in Indiana, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood and under-reported offenses we face as a community. In an effort to ensure that individuals working with children recognize the signs of trafficking, the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Committee (CSEC) developed a screening … [Read more...] about Making Indiana’s Kids Safer by Combatting Human Trafficking

Less restrictive alternatives balance need with independence By Nick Parker, Staff Attorney • Office of Court Services By now, you have likely heard about the California case in which Britney Spears successfully petitioned the court to remove her legal guardianship. This case sparked an interest in guardianship across the country, including a discussion of ways to support individuals without a need for formal … [Read more...] about Guardianship as a Last Resort