IndianaSB 160Second Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2026)Senate

Public safety.

Sponsored By: Spencer Deery (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Makes wearing a mask during the commission of a criminal offense a sentencing aggravator. Makes it malicious littering, a Class A misdemeanor, for a person to place refuse on the property of another person with the intent to cause the owner or occupant of the property to reasonably fear for their physical safety.

corrections and criminal lawthe housecourts and criminal code

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Masked offenders face possible harsher sentences

Beginning July 1, 2026, Indiana courts may use mask-wearing during an offense as a reason for a harsher sentence. A mask means a face covering or device worn to hide or disguise the wearer's identity. The law does not require a particular sentence.

New criminal penalties for threatening littering

Beginning July 1, 2026, Indiana makes malicious littering a Class A misdemeanor. The offense covers leaving trash or other refuse on someone else's property to make someone reasonably fear for their physical safety. Protected people include owners, occupants, guests, and their family members or close associates. The law adds protection against intimidation and criminal penalties for those who commit it.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Spencer Deery

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Brett Clark

    Republican • Senate

  • Danny Lopez

    Republican • House

  • Scott Baldwin

    Republican • Senate

  • Tim Yocum

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 212 • No: 61

Senate vote • 2/25/2026

Senate concurred with House amendments

Yes: 46 • No: 0

House vote • 2/17/2026

Third reading: passed

Yes: 88 • No: 2

House vote • 2/16/2026

Amendment #1 (Pierce M) failed

Yes: 33 • No: 59

Senate vote • 1/22/2026

Third reading: passed

Yes: 45 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor

    3/5/2026Senate
  2. Public Law 112

    3/5/2026Senate
  3. Signed by the Speaker

    2/27/2026House
  4. Signed by the President Pro Tempore

    2/27/2026Senate
  5. Signed by the President of the Senate

    2/27/2026Senate
  6. Senate concurred with House amendments; Roll Call 276: yeas 46, nays 0

    2/25/2026Senate
  7. Motion to concur filed

    2/20/2026Senate
  8. Returned to the Senate with amendments

    2/18/2026House
  9. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 265: yeas 88, nays 2

    2/17/2026House
  10. Representative Yocum added as cosponsor

    2/17/2026House
  11. Amendment #1 (Pierce M) failed; Roll Call 242: yeas 33, nays 59

    2/16/2026House
  12. Second reading: ordered engrossed

    2/16/2026House
  13. Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

    2/12/2026House
  14. First reading: referred to Committee on Courts and Criminal Code

    1/28/2026House
  15. Referred to the House

    1/23/2026Senate
  16. Senator Baldwin added as third author

    1/22/2026Senate
  17. House sponsor: Representative Lopez

    1/22/2026Senate
  18. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 51: yeas 45, nays 0

    1/22/2026Senate
  19. Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed

    1/20/2026Senate
  20. Amendment #1 (Freeman) prevailed; voice vote

    1/20/2026Senate
  21. Senator Clark added as second author

    1/14/2026Senate
  22. Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

    1/13/2026Senate
  23. First reading: referred to Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law

    1/5/2026Senate
  24. Authored by Senator Deery

    1/5/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Engrossed Senate Bill (H)

  • Enrolled Senate Bill (S)

  • Introduced Senate Bill (S)

  • Senate Bill (S)

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