IndianaHB 1111First Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2025)HouseWALLET

Indiana National Guard.

Sponsored By: Steve Bartels (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Increases, from $8,800 to $20,000, the amount that shall be paid by the state if a member of the Indiana National Guard dies in the active service of the state. Provides that a spouse or dependent of a member of the Indiana National Guard is eligible for a state employee death benefit if the member dies while serving on state active duty. Provides that the adjutant general may procure a medical insurance plan for members of the Indiana National Guard who are ordered to state active duty. Adds awards and decorations that may be awarded by the Indiana National Guard. Provides that members of the Indiana National Guard, while serving on state active duty, shall be considered state employees for purposes of receiving worker's compensation. Provides that a scholarship applicant of the National Guard tuition supplement program may use the scholarship for a credential-certifying program, licensing program, trade certification program, or apprenticeship program for an in-demand occupation as identified by the adjutant general and the department of workforce development, in consultation with the commission for higher education. Provides that if a scholarship applicant of the National Guard tuition supplement program receives a twenty-first century scholars program scholarship, the scholarship applicant may use a National Guard tuition supplement program scholarship awarded to pay for qualified program and educational expenses approved by the commission for higher education and room and board for two years. Makes technical corrections.

veterans affairs and public safetythe senateveterans affairs and the militaryappropriations

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Higher funeral help for Guard families

Beginning July 1, 2025, the state-paid funeral expense cap rises from $8,800 to $20,000 for Indiana Guard members. The benefit applies when a member dies in active state service. Payment cannot exceed the reasonable funeral expenses incurred.

More education help for Guard members

Beginning July 1, 2025, Guard scholarships cover more training for state-identified, in-demand jobs: credentials, licenses, trade certificates, and apprenticeships. Applicants must meet Guard requirements, apply on time, and use available federal and state aid when required. Occupational and technical program awards cover remaining school-year education costs after other designated aid, up to $5,000 annually. Guard scholarship recipients who also receive Twenty-First Century Scholars scholarships can use the supplement for approved education costs, including room and board. That use is allowed for two school years, with an annual limit of $5,000 or approved costs, whichever is less.

Guard injury benefits change on state duty

Beginning July 1, 2025, Indiana Guard members on state active duty qualify as state employees for workers’ compensation. Receiving workers’ compensation does not by itself block retirement or other Guard benefits. The law also removes the prior provision for duty pay and necessary care expenses during incapacity. The financial result depends on how workers’ compensation compares with those former protections in each member’s case.

Medical insurance option for Guard state duty

Beginning July 1, 2025, Indiana’s adjutant general may buy medical insurance for Guard members ordered to state active duty. The law does not require a plan or guarantee coverage. It does not set coverage terms or member costs.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Steve Bartels

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Chuck Moseley

    Democratic • House

  • Eric Bassler

    Republican • Senate

  • Ethan Lawson

    Republican • House

  • Greg Goode

    Republican • Senate

  • J.D. Ford

    Democratic • Senate

  • James Tomes

    Republican • Senate

  • Jeff Raatz

    Republican • Senate

  • La Keisha Jackson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lonnie Randolph

    Democratic • Senate

  • Scott Baldwin

    Republican • Senate

  • Timothy O'Brien

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 139 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/15/2025

Third reading: passed

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 1/28/2025

Third reading: passed

Yes: 90 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor

    5/1/2025House
  2. Public Law 155

    5/1/2025House
  3. Signed by the President of the Senate

    4/23/2025Senate
  4. Signed by the President Pro Tempore

    4/21/2025Senate
  5. Signed by the Speaker

    4/17/2025House
  6. Returned to the House without amendments

    4/16/2025Senate
  7. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 429: yeas 49, nays 0

    4/15/2025Senate
  8. Senator Jackson L added as cosponsor

    4/14/2025Senate
  9. Second reading: ordered engrossed

    4/14/2025Senate
  10. Committee report: do pass, adopted

    4/10/2025Senate
  11. Senator Randolph added as cosponsor

    4/10/2025Senate
  12. Senator Raatz added as cosponsor

    4/10/2025Senate
  13. Senator Bassler added as cosponsor

    3/27/2025Senate
  14. Committee report: do pass adopted; reassigned to Committee on Appropriations

    3/4/2025Senate
  15. Senator Ford J.D. added as cosponsor

    3/4/2025Senate
  16. Senator Goode added as cosponsor

    2/20/2025Senate
  17. Senator Tomes added as second sponsor

    2/19/2025Senate
  18. First reading: referred to Committee on Veterans Affairs and The Military

    2/18/2025Senate
  19. Referred to the Senate

    1/29/2025House
  20. Senate sponsor: Senator Baldwin

    1/28/2025House
  21. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 25: yeas 90, nays 0

    1/28/2025House
  22. Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed

    1/27/2025House
  23. Amendment #1 (Bartels) prevailed; voice vote

    1/27/2025House
  24. Committee report: do pass, adopted

    1/21/2025House
  25. Authored by Representative Bartels

    1/8/2025House

Bill Text

  • Engrossed House Bill (S)

  • Enrolled House Bill (H)

  • House Bill (H)

  • House Bill (S)

  • Introduced House Bill (H)

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