(1) an adoptive or whole blood related parent;

(2) a sibling; or

(3) a child.

     (b) “Relative”, for purposes of IC 31-34-3, means:

(1) a maternal or paternal grandparent;

(2) an adult aunt or uncle;

(3) a parent of a child’s sibling if the parent has legal custody of the sibling; or

(4) any other adult relative suggested by either parent of a child.

     (c) “Relative”, for purposes of sections 16.6 and 131.7 of this chapter, IC 31-27, IC 31-28-5.8, IC 31-34-4, IC 31-34-19, IC 31-34-23-6, and IC 31-37, means any of the following in relation to a child:

(1) A parent.

(2) A grandparent.

(3) A brother.

(4) A sister.

(5) A stepparent.

(6) A stepgrandparent.

(7) A stepbrother.

(8) A stepsister.

(9) A first cousin.

(10) An uncle.

(11) An aunt.

(12) Any other individual with whom a child has an established and significant relationship.

[Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-3-4-9.]

As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.131-2009, SEC.8; P.L.191-2011, SEC.10; P.L.123-2014, SEC.4; P.L.104-2015, SEC.10; P.L.3-2016, SEC.4; P.L.68-2022, SEC.1; P.L.105-2022, SEC.45; P.L.172-2022, SEC.3; P.L.77-2023, SEC.5.