Campbell’s bill allowing foster and emancipated youth to open bank accounts heads to governor’s desk

Today, April 3, House Bill 1441 heads to the governor’s desk after the House concurred with the changes made to the bill in the Senate. The bill, authored by State Rep. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette), will allow foster children and emancipated youth at least 16 years old to open bank accounts without an adult co-signer. The bill was amended in the Senate to include minors automatically emancipated by operation of law. 

Campbell released the following statement: 

“I am thrilled to see my bill pass through the legislature and head to the governor’s desk. This bill will provide a valuable tool for so many foster and emancipated youth in Indiana to protect and control their own finances. 

“Current Indiana law requires minors to open a bank account with an adult co-signer, disadvantaging foster children and minors who may not have a stable, constant parent or guardian. There have been instances in which a child has immediately removed an adult from their account the moment they turned 18. Some of our children have had adults take money out of their accounts without their consent.

“With the new high school diploma requiring students to work to fulfill certain credits, it's important that all students have a secure place to keep the money they earn. This bill does exactly that; it allows foster or emancipated children 16 or older, found responsible by a juvenile court, the opportunity to open a bank account.

“I am thankful for the legislature’s support on this bill, and I will continue to advocate for the needs of foster youth in the Statehouse.”