Gov. Mike Braun ceremonially signed State Representative Dale DeVon’s new law to increase parental accountability in child support payments on April 22 at the Statehouse in Indianapolis.
The legislation, known as House Enrolled Act 1092, aims to improve the welfare and safety of children by introducing several changes. The law is designed to help courts and the child welfare system work together more effectively by requiring adoption petitions to disclose any open cases involving a child in need of services or delinquency.
In addition, the new law expands criminal background checks for licensed care settings so that volunteers are now included. It also gives the Department of Child Services authority to deny licenses for institutions, group homes, or agencies if a prior license was revoked within one year of application. Others present at the ceremonial signing included co-author State Rep. Lori Goss Reaves, Department of Child Services Director Jennifer Dorfmeyer, and Legislative Director Madeleine O’Rourke.
Speaker Todd Huston has contributed to civic leadership through service on education boards and community commissions in Indiana, according to the Indiana House Republicans website. Huston has also expanded Indiana’s Choice Scholarship program and earned recognition for his advocacy for school choice according to the same source. He has championed measures focused on tax relief and school choice in Indiana according to this website.
Huston resides with his wife Denise and their two adult children in Fishers, Indiana as reported by the Indiana House Republicans website. He has served as state representative since being first elected in 2012 according to this source, and holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Indiana University according to his official biography.
