Most of the nearly 300 new laws crafted by the General Assembly this year take effect Monday.

The Indiana agency that oversees the states foster system is the target of a class action lawsuit filed Tuesday morning in federal court in Evansville. The suit accuses the Department of Child Services of violating childrens constitutional rights.

A national child advocacy group filed the suit in February, claiming Indiana is denying the constitutional rights of Hoosier children

The bill makes it easier for the agency to meet legally-mandated caseload standards. It also helps DCS caseworkers with initial assessments when they get a report of a child in danger.

The legislation seeks to give foster parents more of a voice as the children they care for move through the child welfare system.

The bill makes it easier for the agency to meet legally-mandated caseload standards. It also helps DCS caseworkers with initial assessments when they get a report of a child in danger.

The bill that would require DCS to note whether the child was in foster care at the time of death, or had been returned to their family.

Indiana House Republicans denied an effort Thursday to compel the Department of Child Services to meet legally-defined caseload standards.

Some of the changes involve initial assessments performed by DCS caseworkers after a report of a child in imminent danger.

Indiana Public Broadcasting's Brandon Smith talks with Gov. Eric Holcomb about his work this year and what lies ahead in 2019.