Sec. 2. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) or (c), a court may grant or deny a petition filed under this chapter with or without a hearing on the petition.

     (b) This subsection applies to a child in need of services proceeding. If the petitioner to intervene under this chapter is a long term foster parent and:

(1) a petition to terminate the parent-child relationship has been filed under IC 31-35-2-4;

(2) the petitioner has filed a petition to adopt the child under IC 31-19-2-2; or

(3) the court ordered permanency plan for the child is no longer reunification;

the court shall hold a hearing on a petition to intervene under this chapter before a court may grant or deny a petition under this chapter.

     (c) This subsection applies to a termination of parent-child relationship proceeding. If the petitioner to intervene under this chapter is a long term foster parent, the court shall hold a hearing on a petition to intervene under this chapter before a court may grant or deny a petition under this chapter.

As added by P.L.210-2019, SEC.7.