HB 1307 Indiana House · 2026 Regular Session

Department of child services ombudsman.

Summary
Provides that the office of the department of child services ombudsman (ombudsman office) shall (rather than may, under current law): (1) employ technical experts and other employees to carry out the purposes of the ombudsman office; (2) receive, investigate, and attempt to resolve complaints alleging that the department of child services failed to protect the physical or mental health or safety of a child or failed to follow specific laws, rules, or written policies; (3) issue recommendations if: (A) the ombudsman office determines that a complaint has merit; or (B) an investigation by the ombudsman office reveals a problem with an agency, facility, or program; and (4) take other specified actions and undertake other specified initiatives. Provides that if a local child protection team is involved in the initial investigation of a matter, a different local child protection team shall (rather than may, under current law) assist the ombudsman office in the ombudsman office's investigation of the matter.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
House Passage
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
Signed into Law
Feb 2026
Introduced Jan 6, 2026 Signed Feb 24, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

House Bill (S) House Bill (H) · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill has been updated to its final engrossed version after passing both the House and Senate. The primary changes are technical and administrative, including updating the bill number to reflect Senate approval (EH 1307), revising the digest and header dates to reflect the final passage in February 2026, and adding the names of the Senate sponsors. No substantive policy changes, new funding, or altered eligibility criteria were introduced in this version.
TIMELINE

Updated the bill's effective dates and legislative history to reflect final passage in February 2026.

TECHNICAL

Changed the bill designation from HB 1307 to EH 1307 to indicate it has been engrossed and passed by the Senate.

Added the names of the Senate sponsors (Donato, Ford J.D., Randolph Lonnie M) to the bill header.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 17, 2026 · House Jan 28, 2026

How they voted

431
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 49
Feb 17, 2026
D Democratic9
7 Yea 2
77% Yea
R Republican40
36 Yea 1 Nay 3
90% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
22
Key actions
8
Committee
2
Feb 24, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor
executive
Feb 23, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by the President of the Senate
upper
Feb 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by the Speaker
lower
Feb 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by the President Pro Tempore
upper
Feb 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third reading: passed; Roll Call 188: yeas 44, nays 1
upper
Feb 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee report: do pass, adopted
upper
Jan 28, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third reading: passed; Roll Call 125: yeas 93, nays 0
lower
Jan 22, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee report: do pass, adopted
lower
3 primary · 5 co-sponsors

Sponsors