# Indiana HB 1253: Various crimes and child protection.

Indiana HB 1253, Various crimes and child protection., is a Second Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2026) House bill sponsored by Lori Goss-Reaves (Republican); status failed, last action 2026-01-12 (Representative Smaltz added as coauthor) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-HB1253-2026
- As of: 2026-11-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Indiana HB 1253
- State: Indiana
- Session: Second Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2026)
- Title: Various crimes and child protection.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2026-01-05
- Last action: 2026-01-12, Representative Smaltz added as coauthor
- Sponsor: Lori Goss-Reaves (Republican)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Subjects: courts and criminal code
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Adds family case managers to the list of individuals who are designated as Indiana first responders. Clarifies that a court order concerning certain sex offender registration requirements may only be granted if a petition is filed under the provision governing certain retroactive application of law. Specifies that, if a petition to determine if a person should be considered a sexually violent predator or an offender against children has been filed, notice must be sent to certain parties. Separates the offenses of voyeurism, public voyeurism, and aerial voyeurism into two sections of the Indiana Code. Removes, from the crime of public voyeurism, the required element that the individual has the intent to peep at the person being recorded, and changes the name of the crime to "digital voyeurism". Provides that a serious sex offender who knowingly or intentionally approaches or communicates with a child in a public park commits a Level 6 felony.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Lori Goss-Reaves (Republican), House
- Cosponsor: Ben Smaltz (Republican), House

## Actions (3)

- 2026-01-12: Representative Smaltz added as coauthor (House)
- 2026-01-05: Authored by Representative Goss-Reaves (House)
- 2026-01-05: First reading: referred to Committee on Courts and Criminal Code (House)

## Bill text

- Introduced House Bill (H): [PDF](https://api.iga.in.gov/2026/bills/HB1253/versions/HB1253.01.INTR?format=pdf)

## Related bills

- HB 1266: Department of education and education matters. (signed)
- HB 1277: Health and human services matters. (signed)
- HB 1210: Department of local government finance. (signed)
- HB 1249: Various criminal law matters. (signed)
- HB 1200: Bureau of motor vehicles. (signed)
- HB 1115: Homeowners association governance. (signed)

## Sources
- [Introduced House Bill (H) (PDF)](https://api.iga.in.gov/2026/bills/HB1253/versions/HB1253.01.INTR?format=pdf)

## Related
- [HB 1266: Department of education and education matters.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-HB1266-2026)
- [HB 1277: Health and human services matters.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-HB1277-2026)
- [HB 1210: Department of local government finance.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-HB1210-2026)
- [HB 1249: Various criminal law matters.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-HB1249-2026)
- [HB 1200: Bureau of motor vehicles.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-HB1200-2026)
- [HB 1115: Homeowners association governance.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-HB1115-2026)
- [Indiana bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/indiana/bills)
- [Indiana state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/indiana)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-HB1253-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).