Legislation requiring Indiana Department of Child Services caseworkers to see a child in person before closing or discharging a case passed unanimously out of the Indiana House of Representatives on Monday, Feb. 2.

House Bill 1036, authored by State Rep. Victoria Garcia Wilburn, D-Fishers, mandates that a DCS caseworker conduct an in-person visit with a child within 30 days prior to a case being closed or discharged.

The bill was drafted in response to high-profile child welfare tragedies, including the death of five-year-old Kinsleigh Welty, who died of starvation. Supporters say the legislation is designed to ensure children are safe before DCS investigations and cases are concluded.

“Every child in our state is precious. Not one death of a child is acceptable,” Garcia Wilburn said in a statement following the bill’s passage. “By requiring an in-person visit by a DCS caseworker before a case closure, my hope is that we prevent more avoidable deaths from abuse and neglect and do not allow more children to fall through the cracks of the system.”

Garcia Wilburn also thanked her co-authors — Reps. Alex Burton, Lori Goss-Reaves and Julie McGuire — as well as the House for its unanimous support of the measure.

HB 1036 now moves to the Indiana Senate for consideration. If approved there, it would advance to the governor’s desk for final action.

Garcia Wilburn noted that while the bill’s passage in the House marks an important milestone, additional work remains as the legislation continues through the General Assembly.