The number of Hoosier children who end up in the state's court system because of abuse and neglect jumped from 14,000 in 2014 to 20,000 last year. Officials say opioid abuse is often to blame.

The Department of Child Services wants the legislature to help improve the process of reporting child abuse and neglect to the agency.

Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush says she believes the hike in cases is directly related to the increase in opioid addictions in the state.

A recently released report by Indiana's Department of Child Services says 66 children in the state lost their lives because of abuse or neglect during fiscal year 2014.

The bill that would create a list similar to online sex-offender registries was passed by the Senate on Wednesday on a 49-0 vote.