Richmond Palladium-Item on Knollman Foster Children Bill

The Richmond newspaper wrote an excellent article updating voters on the progress of a bill co-authored by State Representative Tom Knollman.

A bill co-authored by state Rep. Tom Knollman, R-Union, to help foster children was approved unanimously this week by the Indiana House and moves to the Senate.

The bill requires the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority to transport foster children to and from their foster homes and school. It also requires each school district to appoint a liaison for homeless children in the district, to make sure the children have access to local resources, programs and services related to homelessness.

The bill also allows a child, foster parents or the child's guardian ad litem to request visitation with the child's sibling if either child is in foster care. It also requires schools to provide transportation to a student only if the student lives in an adjacent county.

House Bill 1165 is the product of a summer study committee on which Knollman served.

"This bill focuses on helping those who do not know where to turn," Knollman said. "The community and housing development authority will coordinate and promote information so it is easily accessible to those who need it most."