# Indiana SB 253: Deed fraud.

Indiana SB 253, Deed fraud., is a Second Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2026) Senate bill sponsored by Greg Goode (Republican); status failed, last action 2026-01-08 (First reading: referred to Committee on Local Government) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-SB253-2026
- As of: 2026-11-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Indiana SB 253
- State: Indiana
- Session: Second Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2026)
- Title: Deed fraud.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2026-01-08
- Last action: 2026-01-08, First reading: referred to Committee on Local Government
- Sponsor: Greg Goode (Republican)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: local government
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Establishes the deed fraud task force. Provides that a county recorder may: (1) refuse to record a suspicious instrument, unless a court of competent jurisdiction finds that the county recorder's finding that the instrument is a suspicious instrument is erroneous; (2) report a suspicious instrument to the appropriate law enforcement agency; or (3) notify a notarial officer or notary public who has purported to acknowledge or prove a suspicious instrument of the reason for the county recorder's finding that the instrument is a suspicious instrument. Requires each county recorder to establish a property alert notification system. Requires each county recorder to establish an instrument alert notification system. Provides that a notarial officer may refuse to perform a notarial act if the notarial officer is not satisfied that the individual executing the record has provided sufficient information to conduct identity proofing. Requires a notary public to present proof of the notary public's commission to a person that sells or otherwise provides a stamping device to the notary public. Requires an applicant seeking a commission as a notary public to complete a background check administered by the secretary of state. Requires the secretary of state to establish certain security procedures and access controls with respect to the electronic data base of active notaries public. Provides that a person that alleges damages arising from the recording of a forged deed or mortgage has a cause of action against certain persons.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Greg Goode (Republican), Senate

## Actions (2)

- 2026-01-08: First reading: referred to Committee on Local Government (Senate)
- 2026-01-08: Authored by Senator Goode (Senate)

## Bill text

- Introduced Senate Bill (S): [PDF](https://api.iga.in.gov/2026/bills/SB0253/versions/SB0253.01.INTR?format=pdf)

## Related bills

- SB 239: Various education matters. (signed)
- SB 204: Various education matters. (signed)
- SB 179: Indiana department of transportation. (signed)
- SB 185: Alcohol and tobacco matters. (signed)
- SB 80: Code publication. (signed)
- HB 1424: Farm and homestead food sales. (signed)

## Sources
- [Introduced Senate Bill (S) (PDF)](https://api.iga.in.gov/2026/bills/SB0253/versions/SB0253.01.INTR?format=pdf)

## Related
- [SB 239: Various education matters.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-SB239-2026)
- [SB 204: Various education matters.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-SB204-2026)
- [SB 179: Indiana department of transportation.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-SB179-2026)
- [SB 185: Alcohol and tobacco matters.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-SB185-2026)
- [SB 80: Code publication.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-SB80-2026)
- [HB 1424: Farm and homestead food sales.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-HB1424-2026)
- [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-SB253-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).