A Senate committee today unanimously recommended creation of a special legislative study commission to investigate the Department of Child Services.

Sen. Eddie Melton (D-Merrillville) authored the resolution. He says his proposed two-year commission is not meant to interfere with an ongoing, independent review of the embattled state agency.

“I think this is a great opportunity for legislators to remain engaged in this process,” Melton says.

The original resolution listed causes of the recent surge in DCS cases. They included poverty, substance abuse, and crime. The Senate committee stripped that language out.

Melton supports the change. He says he wants the commission to be as open as possible.

“To ensure that it didn’t leave out any contributing factors to children,” Melton says. “I think the most important part is to make sure we have the committee established.”

The resolution now goes before the full Senate.